MANILA, Philippines - Seven overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with 2 children were arrested in Riyadh by Saudi Arabian authorities due to expired work permits, according to a report by Migrante-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) chapter on Tuesday.
The labor advocacy and support group said the undocumented OFWs were apprehended by a team of mutawa (religious police), local police, and officials of Jawazat (Saudi passport office) last December 18.
“We were alerted by a concerned OFW who have informed us that there are seven (7) undocumented OFWs who were apprehended... in Naseem area, Riyadh last Saturday early morning; 4 are women, 2 of them have children ages 1 and 3-months old,” said Mike Garlan, Migrante-KSA secretary-general.
The 4 women, as well as the 2 kids, are reportedly detained at the Semeisy jail. The 3 males were reportedly sent to Malaz Central Jail, both located in Riyadh, the kingdom’s capital.
“They were sent to jail because it was found out during the raid that all 7 OFWs have an expired Iqama or work permit, after running away from their respective employers due to labor malpractices and abuses,” the report cited Garlan.
Migrante-KSA said it has alerted the Philippine embassy in Riyadh and requested for staff to provide representation and assistance to the still-unidentified OFWs.
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