Buhay Pinoy ...: Fw: [pinoy-abroad-forum] Kababayans helped distressed OFWs living in tents, consulate shoo them away

Ang Mga Modern Heroes ng Pilipinas -

Hindi na binabaril sa Luneta - sa ibang bansa na lang .

Tanong lang naman - Is it still a mystery how illegal recruiters go past the very prestigious POEA and the very honest Immigration officials - compliments of our very transparent government? Bakit nga ba ang mga Pinoy kumakapit kahit nga sa 'proverbial' na patalim? Eh, kase nga - gusto lang naman na mabuhay ng medyo maluwag sa ating lupang hinirang!

But what brought about this problem? Interviewed at random, it was found out that some of the runaways, who came all the way from Dammam and travelled 4 days to reach Jeddah, were deployed by a certain "Aisis International", a recruitment agency whose president is a certain Noemi B. Miraflor. The recruits, all 80 of them who are "first-timers", were made to sign contracts for SAR 950 (US$1 = SAR 3.75). How such "Contracts" passed the "scrutiny" of POEA is a mystery when only a few years back that contemptible government agency was bragging that henceforth the minimum wage for OFWs would be US$400 (SAR1,500)!

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "Dcgrava@aol.com" <Dcgrava@aol.com>
To: pinoy-abroad-forum@yahoogroups.com; ProgressiveTimes@yahoogroups.com; YES_I_CAN-Phils@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 8:17:15 AM
Subject: [pinoy-abroad-forum] Kababayans helped distressed OFWs living in tents, consulate shoo them away

From: maria.embry@sbcglobal.net <maria.embry@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [Worldwide-Filipino-Alliance] NO ROOM @ THE INN...FROM KHANDARA BRIDGE TO PHILIPPINE CONSULATE.. THE DISTRESSED OFWs IN JEDDAH BY ARMAN MULEEM; PHOTOS BY FRANK RESMA
Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 3:51 PM

http://worldwidefilipinoalliance.com/blog.php?blog_id=24
The Distressed OFWs in Jeddah
By: Arman Muleem

After 2 days of incessant rains that converted Jeddah into a City of floating cars and debris, the Saudi police finally swooped down on the expatriates (Pinoys, Indonesians, Indians, Bangladeshis and other nationalities) who had been camping for several months under the bridge of Khandara where the flood rose up to chest level.

Thinking that they would at last be brought to the Saudi Immigration for processing and repatriation, the runaways - some with children and infants - folded their mats, packed their meager belongings and, at 10 p.m. when most streets were still flooded, gladly walked all the way to the Deportation Center where they spent the night, unmindful of the crowded rooms and cold concrete floors.

Their anticipation was doused the following morning when they were ordered to report to their respective consulates.

At 8 in the morning, under an overcast sky that threatened to open up anytime, the Pinoy runaways - men, women and children - accompanied by concerned community leaders who had accompanied them since they left the bridge, began the march to the Consulate several kilometers away. Babies on their mothers` arms while clutching bags and boxes, small kids with heavy backpacks tugging on the abayas of their mothers who were carrying suitcases and cartons, most of them being assisted by chivalrous Pinoys who could not stand the sight of Pinays burdened with heavy loads.

Tired, perspiring, hungry, thirsty and scared, the marchers reached the Consulate after a couple of hours....only to be told that they, Filipinos born of Filipino parents and raised in the Philippines, cannot go inside the Philippine Consulate!

Thus began the nightmare. Left with no choice, the runaways set up camp on a vacant lot outside the compound of the Consulate. A big tent was put up, but was later dismantled on orders of the Saudi Police who would only allow small tents that could accomodate 2 - 3 persons. And no picture taking, please. No cameras. Fearing that more rains might soon fall, the FilCom leaders immediately sprang into action.

Spreading in all directions, celfones in hand, the community leaders mobilized their colleagues and members of their respective organizations. Before dark, some 20 small tents were distributed to the runaways. Several pieces of synthetic sacks were sewn together to form one large protective material, hanged low enough so as not to attract attention, but served as protection against fog and slight drizzle for those who have no tents.

Cartons of noodles and canned goods, sacks of rice, gallons of water, coffee jars, milk, sugar, butter, loaves of bread, stoves and other essentials arrived - courtesy of generous compatriots who were more sympathetic to the runaways than the Consulate officials who were supposed to assist them!

Like wildfire, news about the runaways and the insensitiveness of arrogant consular officials who act as if they own the spacious consulate building, spread in the Pinoy community.
(The plight of our unfortunate compatriots also reached the ears of a benevolent princess who dug into her royal pouch for the purchase of additional tents, foods, milk, kitchen equipments, medicines and other supplies. Some kind-hearted Saudis also donated food supplies).
Those who have access to the internet alerted their colleagues in the homeland and in other parts of the world. Shocked and angry at the seeming indifference of the Philippine authorites, Pinoys in Diaspora clogged cyberspace with e-mails to officials of POEA, OWWA, DOLE and other government agencies including the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Office of the President was also deluged with e-mails and appeals....to no avail. Except for congressmen Walden Bello and Ted Casiño, none of the so-called public servants - who draw their salaries, allowances and other perks from the taxes we pay, and who would want to be addressed as "honorables" - cared to respond to our appeal.
Undettered, our friends in Diaspora and in the homeland decided to launch a campaign to raise funds to help the runaways. Thru e-mails, text messages and direct telephone calls, appeals for support and financial assistance were made. The response was immediate: Within a few hours, our friends in the US were able to raise more than US$400, with more pledges expected to come; in Australia, sympathetic Fil-Aussies have already raised A$200+. Not to be outdone, our friends in Europe and in the homeland have collected several thousand pesos. (As of this writing, the total collection in the US has already reached US$500).
But what brought about this problem? Interviewed at random, it was found out that some of the runaways, who came all the way from Dammam and travelled 4 days to reach Jeddah, were deployed by a certain "Aisis International", a recruitment agency whose president is a certain Noemi B. Miraflor. The recruits, all 80 of them who are "first-timers", were made to sign contracts for SAR 950 (US$1 = SAR 3.75). How such "Contracts" passed the "scrutiny" of POEA is a mystery when only a few years back that contemptible government agency was bragging that henceforth the minimum wage for OFWs would be US$400 (SAR1,500)!
When they arrived in Dammam, their employer forced them to sign another contract for SAR 600, yet at the end of the month, they received only SAR 500. The reason given: They have to pay for their own plane tickets! When they get sick and not able to work even for one day, they get SAR 200 deduction in their pay!
And they don`t even get paid on time.
Demoralized, they decided to abandon their employer. The ordeal did not end there. With nowhere to go, and unfamiliar with the rules in the kingdom, many of them easily fell prey to the glib-tounged but heartless kins of Mr. Lucio De Vil. They were made to believe that for a certain amount, ranging from SAR1,500 to SAR2,500, they would be brought to Jeddah where the exit processes were less stringent. They were also warned that whatever amount they have would be confiscated by the police at the airport.
After taking every riyal in their pockets, Mr. de Vil`s men herded them unto trucks and private vehicles....and promptly dropped them in the middle of the desert, where rifle-wielding Bedouins know no rules.
Scared, penniless and with only their shirts on their backs, the runaways literally ran for their lives, frantically waving at passing vehicles to hitch a ride even for a few miles. Begging for food and a few riyals from passing compatriots and other people they met along the way. After 4 days, they arrived in Jeddah, bedraggled, hungry and broke.

(photos courtesy of frank resma)