109 distressed OFWs from Saudi return home

One-hundred nine distressed overseas Filipino workers have returned to the country from Damman, Saudi Arabia.

They arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday morning on board Philippine Airlines Flight 683.

"The workers were repatriated in line with the promise of Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III to bring home as many distressed OFWs from financially strapped Saudi companies before Christmas," the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration stated.

The OWWA repatriation team rendered transportation assistance, including temporary shelter at the agency's halfway home.

The OWWA said that many of the OFWs have decided to go back to the Philippines due to "contract violations by their Saudi employers.”

Among these are unpaid salaries and or end of service benefits, delayed salaries, lack of vacation leaves, and failure to secure a final exit visa.

The OFWs received special financial cash assistance while awaiting their flights home. Another cash assistance and livelihood package were given to the OFWs after they arrived in their hometowns, the OWWA said.