20 OFWs in Saudi seek consular help due to unpaid salaries

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah took custody of 20 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia after they refused to work because of unpaid salaries and food allowances, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Monday.

The DFA said in a statement that the 20 OFWs are now being taken cared of at the Bahay Kalinga by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and their repatriation are now being processed.

The consulate said the OFWs are now getting assistance for them to safely go back to the country with the help of their Philippine recruitment agency.

The DFA said the 20 OFWs, who worked as cleaners in Jeddah hospitals and residential homes, refused to report for work because they were not getting paid. Reports said that for the past two months, these OFWs were not getting their salaries and food allowances.

The workers were recruited by a major Saudi recruitment agency and were then transferred to their present company, which failed to pay their salaries and other financial obligation due them. /jpv

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