An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia, lost his child to sickness after his employer did not pay his salary for six months.
OFW Kamaloden Kazzan, one of the OFWs affected by Azmeel Contracting Corporation’s company lockout in Al Khobar, lost his nine-year old child to sickness in July after being unable to send money to the Philippines for medical bills, reported GMA News.
Kazzan said the last time he received his salary was April which was six months ago.
Earlier, labor secretary Silvestre Bello III will also meet with the Minister of Labor of Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of allowing the OFWs to look for jobs and transfer companies instead of returning home.
“Makikipag-usap ako sa Minister of Labor ng Saudi Arabia para sa pagpapauwi ng ating mga OFW at hilingin ang tulong ng pamahalaan ng Saudi para sa paghahanap ng trabaho sa ibang lugar, gayundin ang tulong-legal para sa mga monetary claims ng mga manggagawa mula sa kanilang employer,” said Bello
A total of 1,470 OFWs in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia will be returning home after being removed from their jobs following the company lockout.
Citing reports received by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that the OFWs were displaced from their jobs under Azmeel Contracting Corporation. The assets of the company were reportedly frozen by the Saudi government.
The returning OFWs will be receiving assistance from OWWA, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH).
