9 of 26 OFWs in Saudi accused of theft have returned home to PHL

Nine of the 26 OFWs in Riyadh,  Saudi Arabia accused of theft by their company have returned to the Philippines after being stranded for years.

In an interview, Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh said they have managed to have the nine sent home by securing the approval of the Saudi Labor Office to endorse them to the deportation center.

Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa of POLO Riyadh, together with the nine OFWs pose fo a photo before they fly to the Philippines. -Ronaldo Concha

"Masaya kami at may nauna ng syam na nakauwi kamakailan matapos silang mabilhan ng OWWA ng pamasahe sa eroplano habang inaantay pa namin na maisyuhan ng visa and labing tatlo pang naiwan," said Mustafa.

Meanwhile, four of the distressed OFWs have decided to stay and press on with their legal battle against their employer, Mustafa added.

According to Mustafa the group had sought the POLO's assistance after they were accused of theft and were briefly held.

Mustafa said his office exteneded assistance, including food and personal needs as the expatriates' salaries were had not been released for two years.

"Inaasahan namin na makakauwi na sa lalong madaling panahon ang mga naiiwan pa kaya wag po mag alala ang kanilang mga Mahal sa buhay," Mustafa said. —LBG, GMA News