Press Release
15 March 2010
An alliance of Overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East today deplores the inaction of Philippine Labor official based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia despite that the case has been forwarded to the Philippine Labor Overseas Office (POLO) for information and action.
“Along with the 90 OFWs who are victims of their employer’s labor malpractices, we deplore the inaction of Labor Attache Vicente Cabe for sitting on their case despite the fact that their case has been properly relayed to his office for his attention and prompt action,” John Leonard Monterona, citing the March 13, 2010 letter of Migrante-Saudi Arabia Chairperson Andrew M. Ociones address to Consul Ezaddin Tago of the Philippine Consulate General.
Labor Attache Vicente Cabe has been copy furnished of said letter.
The 90 OFWs are working for Arabian Gulf Manufacturers Ltd, a Saudi-company based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 90 OFWs are part of the two (2) batches of workers arrived in the Jeddah; the 1st batch arrived on May 16, 2009, while the 2nd batch on June 9, 2009.
Monterona said the 90 OFWs complained of not being paid for overtime worked, working for more than the regular 8-hour work and even during normal day-off which is Friday; they manifested that they have not been given proper computation of their monthly wages, among others.
Migrante-Saudi Arabia chapter’s chaiperson said it is very clear that on September 1, 2009, the attention of Labor Attaché Cabe has been called by the Adjudication Office of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
“However, it would seem that the local POLO office has been sitting on the case. Proof of this is the fact that the employer was still able to recruit and hire some 85 more Filipinos through its recruitment agencies in the Philippines,” Migrante-KSA’s Ociones on his letter to Congen Tago.
To support the claims of the 90 OFWs that they were deceived and were victims of labor malpractice, they have provided a copy of the original complaint filed at the Sagip OFW Helpline of Sen. Manny Villar, list of Complainants as submitted to the Sagip OFW Helpline, Letter of the POEA Adjudication Office to Labor Attaché Cabe dated 01 Sept. 2009 requesting attention to the complaints, Letter of the Repatriation Unit of the POEA Adjudication Office to the recruitment agency, Armstrong Resources Corp. dated 18 Feb 2010, Letter of the POEA Adjudication Office to the employer, Arabian Gulf Manufacturers Ltd. for Plastic / Arabian Gulf Plastic thru Armstrong Resources Corp. dated 08 March 2010, One (1) Sample of Time Sheet showing the total number of hours worked covering 21/01/2010 to 20/02/2010, One (1) Sample payslip covering the period shown in Sample Time Sheet.
“If Labatt Cabe does not want to provide assistance to the 90 troubled OFWs, he should render his resignation as the labor attaché so that the Department of Labor and Employment could look for his replacement,” Monterona added.
Monterona further said the labor attaché to replace Labatt Cabe must be one who would not compromised the troubled OFWs legitimate issues and concerns with their erring employers.
“Inept officials like Labatt Cabe should be sent back home and continue his sleeping mode in the Philippines, not in Saudi Arabia, where RP officials’ services are much needed and highly sought because of the many cases of labor malpractices that have been observed and recorded,” Monterona.
He ended saying OFWs labor rights, well-being and welfare should be defended by labor officials assigned abroad; “But what we could expect from the Arroyo administration that are neglecting OFWs for more than 9 years now?” he said.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
