The family of a stranded and jobless OFW in Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Al Bahar has appealed for assistance from the government for his immediate repatriation to the Philippines.
A video of Endrico Melicado, 31, of Barangay Singcang Airport in Bacolod City, crying and appealing for help in his return to the country went viral on social media, reported Sun Star.
It was uploaded by his fellow overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Cris Ostia from Iligan City, who already returned to the Philippines after four months of being stranded also in the Middle Eastern country, the report said.
In the video, Melicado reportedly said he has been jobless for almost a year now after their company closed due to the oil crisis that hit Saudi Arabia thus, he turned into scavenging in order to survive.
“Gusto ko sanang makauwi na, pinapaasa lang ako ng boss ko na asikasuhin yung papeles ko,” Melicado was quoted as saying.
The OFW reportedly said he also sought the help of his agency, but he has not received a response yet.
Melicado is staying alone at their barracks in Haras Watani National Guard as the other OFWs were already sent back home.
“Eleven months na ako ditong nakatunganga walang sahod, nag-aalala na pamilya ko. Wala na po akong magawa (I have been jobless for 11 months. I don’t have a salary, my family is worried for me. I can’t do anything),” he was quoted as saying.
His parents, Enrique and Cecilia, reportedly told Sun Star Bacolod that it was in April 2014 when Melicado went to Saudi Arabia to work as construction worker.
At first, his job went well, and he was able to send money as payment for the debts he incurred in processing and travel fees, they added.
“We felt sad upon learning that their company went bankrupt. Since January, he was not able to send money anymore,” his fisherman father reportedly said.
His sister Celeste Grace was quoted as saying that they already brought her brother’s plight to the attention of the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (Owwa) in Bacolod City.
They were advised to ask the help of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia as the Owwa cannot directly act on the matter, she added.
After the video went viral, he received assistance from his fellow Filipinos who gave him food and water, reported Sun Star.
In his last conversation with his family in Bacolod, Melicado said he had already contacted the Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia but they have yet to give him updates.
Separately, Ostia reportedly told Sun Star Bacolod that Melicado is being asked to pay 1,500 Saudi riyals for his visa.
“We are calling on our local and national governments to help us in speeding up the processing of Endrico’s papers so that he can be sent back immediately here in Bacolod,” Melicado’s mother pleaded.
