OFWs in Riyadh resort to dumpster diving as COVID-19 affects jobs

Several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have resorted to scavenging after their livelihoods were affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Emil Sumangil’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the OFWs have been “dumpster diving” in trash containers on the side of the road in search of food.

“Dini-dispose po nila ‘yung mga gulay na ano na, medyo bulok na, tinatapon po nila kaya sa umaga po, pinupuntahan po namin para po makuha namin ‘yung mga gulay, siya po naming niluluto, inuulam,” Herbert Atienza said.

Several OFWs in Riyadh appealed for help from the Philippine government.

“Sa mahal na Pangulong Rody Duterte, [sana] matulungan po kami’t mapauwi na. Marami na rin pong nagkakasakit sa’min dito at hindi rin po kami makapunta ng ospital dahil wala po kaming pamasahe,” Robert Onofre said.

“Kung wala pong magbibigay ng relief at tulong sa’min, talagang hirap na po kami. Hindi na po kami mapautang ng tindahan dahil gawa ng ‘di na kami makabayad ng utang,” Albert Lingad added.

GMA News spoke to some of the OFWs’ relatives in the Philippines, who lamented the condition of their loved ones abroad.

“Sana po, pangulo, mapauwi niyo na po ang aming asawa doon, matulungan niyo po kami. Bilang asawa po ng isang OFW na nagpapakahirap doon ay sobra rin po kaming nahihirapan dito,” Christina Atienza said.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) vowed to address the concerns.

“Kami naman po ay handang tumulong sa inyo. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, bibigyan natin ng tugon o lunas ‘yung sitwasyon,” OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News