18 OFWs thrown out of accommodation after restaurant shut down due to COVID-19

Eighteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were thrown out of a bus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after the restaurant they were working at shut down due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to JP Soriano's report on 24 Oras on Wednesday, the Filipino workers were on their way to their accommodation when Human Resource unit officials suddenly forced them out of the bus and threw their things on the ground.

The group of OFWs were informed they cannot stay at their accommodation anymore.

The Filipinos, who were able to take a video of the incident, said the officials initially allowed them to temporarily stay at their accommodation despite the shut down.

“Maya-maya dumating na po ‘yong Egyptian na HR namin, nagwala po sila, nagmarakulyo na, nagsisigaw hanggang sa hinatak na po mga kasama namin… hanggang sa nagkakasakitan na,” one of the OFWs said.

"'Yong Egyption parati niya ako hinahabol, nagkaroon po ako ng bruises sa magkabilang kamay," the Filipino, who was taking the video, said. "Pagbaba po ng gamit, biglang umalis 'yong sasakyan."

The OFWs were then forced to stay in a building.

"Parang lowest of the low po 'yong nararamdaman namin noong araw na 'yon. 'Yong galit, 'di namin alam saan ilulugar sarili namin sa oras na 'yon," one of the Filipinos said.

The next day, officials from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh arrived and they were brought to their principal company's accommodation.

The Philippine Embassy will investigate the incident.

“Hindi po natin papayagan na ang mga Pilipino ay ganun-ganun na lang tratuhin ng ating mga employers dito sa Saudi Arabia,” said Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto.

“Itong isang problemang ito ay ito po ay idudulog namin sa aming nalalapit na meeting with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development o ‘yong kanilang Ministry of Labor para mai-discuss at mailahad sa kanila ang mga problemang ganito at pag-usapan din kung anong karampatang parusa ang dapat matamo nitong mga employers na ganito,” he added. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News