38 jobless OFWs in KSA home after being stranded for 2 months

A batch of 38 OFWs from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who lost their jobs over two months ago, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Monday.

OWWA deputy administrator Mocha Uson led the group who welcomed the 38 repatriates unpon their arrival at NAIA from Riyadh on a Kuwait Airways flight. Also, 22 other jobless OFWs from Jeddah  were expected to arrive by Tuesday evening.

OWWA's Mocha Uson with 38 repatriated OFWs at NAIA. --R. Concha

The repatriates were among the 80 Filipinos who worked as visual merchandizer in KSA, but were fired after they refused to  work as cleaners based on their Iqama or residence certificate.

They said they were stranded at their accommodation for two months, hungry and broke before they were able to contact OWWA case officer in Manila Al Sattar Sultan, who in turn contacted the recruitment agency that deployed them. 

Philippine Overseas Labor Office-OWWA officials in Riyadh, led by Labat Nasser Mustafa, provided assistance to the distressed workers until they were repatriated.

For two months the workers were not paid their salaries, one of the OFWs told GMA News Online. Nevertheless, they said, they are happy they are finally home.

"Syempre masaya, atleast dito okay na, makakasama na namin ang pamilya namin makakapag simula na uli kami," OFW Virgie Rol said.

On the other hand, OFW Karla Baraquio said they are planning to make the agency that deployed them pay for their unpaid salaries and other claims.

Each of the OFWs would receive P20,000 from OWWA, Mocha Uson informed the repatriates before they will be sent home to their families. —LBG, GMA News