Eleven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were reportedly abused and locked inside a room by their own employer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are seeking the Philippine government’s help.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the OFWs also reported that their employer did not follow their work contract and confiscated their personal documents.
OWWA said their social welfare officers in Riyadh will communicate with the employer of the OFWs to clarify the reports.
Meanwhile, the families of the OFWs also met with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to contact the local recruitment agency of the OFWs.
Cacdac assured that OWWA is ready to repatriate the OFWs if they wish to return to the Philippines.
“Kung talagang nais na ng mga workers na umuwi, ia-arrange na mabigyan sila ng exit visa,” Cacdac said.
The reports of abuse in Saudi came in after another OFW in Kuwait was allegedly hit by a baseball bat by her employer.
Cacdac said the government is in contact with the police in Kuwait to assure that justice will be given to abused OFWs amid the implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and the Gulf state which prohibits any form of physical abuse towards OFWs.
