Some stranded OFWs in KSA, selling blood so they can remit money to their families

More than 200 stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seeking the government assistance for immediate repatriation in the Philippines.

They are worried about their family because of the problem of the company’s project that they are employed and almost six months of without pay.

“Kaya naming tiisin kung anong paghihirap dito, pero ‘yung pamilya namin sa ‘Pinas, doon kami medyo nanghihina,” –  stranded OFW.

They no longer have salary and yet it is not clear when they can go home to the Philippines. Some of them are selling their own blood to cope to their daily needs and to be sent to the Philippines. The traces of the needle marks on their arms is visible as they sell blood that amounting to 300 to 400 Saudi Rials or approximately 4000 to 5000 Philippine Peso

“Para po makapagpadala sa pamilya namin na nasa Pilipinas, kasi ilang buwan na po kaming hindi nakakasahod,” said one of OFW.

The Philippine Nurses Association Jeddah, Caregivers Association in Jeddah, Amore Familiare group and other community groups have also responded to the program and provided a free medical mission and feeding program to stranded OFWs.

Other races are also given assistance by Filipino workers.

“It’s a humanitarian thing, and everybody should participate. We should not hesitate because everybody could be in this situation. So we are giving away free budget meal for everybody and we will do it whenever there is a chance, “said one restaurant owner.

The stranded OFWs are requesting help action from the consulate in Jeddah.

“Hopefully we will be expediting our departure here in our company, because of the poverty we are experiencing here,” said an OFW.

The consulate ensures that their communications are continuous with the company. They are also talking about the daily needs of OFWs.

“We are consistently following-up with management and demand them to return our OFWs immediately,” said Welfare Officer James Mendiola.

According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Jeddah, 279 workers in the camp, 63 have exit clearance and tickets and are scheduled to return home next week.

Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/27/18/ilang-stranded-ofws-nagbebenta-ng-dugo-para-may-maipadala-sa-pamilya