Male OFW waiting for Saudi exit visa dies in Jeddah tent city

DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A 41-year-old Filipino in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who was almost on his way home to the Philippines, died from asthma complications Monday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

“Our consulate general in Jeddah confirmed that a 41-year-old Filipino male died of asthma complications at the so called tent city. He already expired when paramedics arrived,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters in a press conference.

“The deceased was a waiter and was originally from Riyadh,” Hernandez said. “He was able to complete all immigration procedure with the assistance of the consulate general, but unfortunately he died before Saudi immigration authorities could issue his exit visa.”

Last July, the Filipino had been admitted to an intensive care unit in a local hospital because of a severe asthma attack, Hernandez said.

He was treated there and appeared to have fully recovered before this recent incident that claimed his life.

Thousands of undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are affected by their Saudization Policy which encourages businesses to hire locals instead of migrant workers.

Many affected OFWs have chosen to be repatriated back to the Philippines but the slow immigration process in the country has delayed the return of many Filipinos.

Hernandez said that the repatriation of the remains of the deceased is already being arranged.