54 undocumented OFWs arrive from Saudi

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday that 54 more undocumented Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia arrived in the country over the weekend.

“54 undocumented Filipinos arrived from Saudi Arabia over the weekend, 32 from Riyadh, while 22 are from Jeddah,” DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez told reporters in a press briefing Monday.

“Upon their arrival, the number of Filipinos repatriated from Saudi Arabia will reach 800, 412 from Riyadh and the eastern region, and 388 from Jeddah,” he said.

Saudi Arabia is cracking down on illegal migrant workers since March 28 in accordance with its “Saudization” policy. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on April 6 had ordered a three-month grace period which would end on July 3.

The policy has led to thousands of deportations of undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the country which is home to around a million Filipino workers.

“As of June 27, there are also 304 individuals staying at the camp near our consulate in Jeddah, while 226 women and children are seeking shelter in our consulate,” Hernandez said.

“A group composed of 25 individuals is also scheduled to arrive from Riyadh [Tuesday] July 2 at 10:55 in the morning via Gulf Air flight GF-154,” he said.

The Saudi government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the request of different embassies there to have the grace period extended.

“We are hoping the Saudi government would seriously look into these requests and allow an extension so that we can repatriate all those who would like to be repatriated and also facilitate the legalization of the papers of those who want to continue working in Saudi Arabia,” Hernandez said.