OFW in Jeddah claims COVID-19 positive Pinoys like him are being neglected by employer

An overseas Filipino worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is asking for Philippine government intervention as he claimed on Tuesday that he and his colleagues who tested positive for COVID-19 are being neglected by their employer.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, "Elmer" said there were 10 of them Filipinos who were placed in a villa after being infected by the virus.

"Napakahirap po ng kalagayan namin dito kasi sampu po kaming positive. Nilagay po kami sa isang villa para maitago po yata kami. Isang bahay po," Elmer said.

He said he was working at the King Abdulaziz International Airport before he got sick.

"May namatay na rin pong isa sa amin eh. 'Yung iba po sa amin sa compound, pinapapasok pa rin sa trabaho kahit alam nilang may COVID po kasi doon sa airport," Elmer said.

The OFW further claimed that his supervisor lied about the medical attention that has been given to one of their colleagues who succumbed to the virus.

"Ang ginawa po ng supervisor, nagsinungaling. Ang sabi daw po [tungkol] doon sa isang namatay, tiningnan daw po iyon ng nurse eh samantalanag namatay po iyon sa kuwarto. Wala pong tumingin doon kasi po nakakulong po iyon sa kuwarto," he said.

Elmer was lucky enough to get admitted to a hospital he coordinated with but he also wants his co-workers to receive the appropriate medical treatment for COVID-19.

"May dumating po na taga-MOH (Ministry of Health). Tinanong lang naman po kung okay sila. Sabi lang po nila may kaunting ubo, sipon. Tapos iyon lang po, wala na," he said.

Elmer is now on his second day at the hospital.

"Ang plema ko po may dugo. Ang sipon ko po may dugo din. Hinihingal pa rin po ako at saka inuubo," he said.

The OFW is asking the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah to look into the practices of their company and repatriate all the affected Filipinos.

"Sana po pauwiin na lahat ang mga Pilipino kasi po magkakahawa-hawa po kami. Kagabi po pala may dinala dito na isa. Parang positive din po. Kasamahan ko rin po. Parang nabaliw na rin po sabi ng nurse," Elmer said.

Dobol B sa News TV is trying to get the comment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on the matter as of posting time. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News