Bulatlat.com managing editor Benjie Oliveros interviews John Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East, and Emilyn Bulaclac, wife of Elju Bulaclac, a stranded overseas Filipino worker in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Tags: Saudi Arabia
Thousands of OFWs affected by crackdown in Saudi Arabia
Migrante is calling on President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President JejomarBinay to “take a break from campaign sorties even just for a day to discuss withthe heads of concerned government agencies how to come up with a repatriation plan for all undocumented and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia.”
Related story Filipinos arrested in Saudi crackdown on migrants
For Distressed OFWs in Jeddah, Hope Lies Under the Bridge of Khandara (Photo Essay)
Hope Lies Under Khandara Bridge
OFW Survives Jail, Neglect of Philippine Government

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
All throughout her imprisonment, Camille said, no embassy official visited her nor asked her side of the story. “I went to court hearings five times but they (Philippine embassy officials) did not attend.”
Two OFWs in Saudi Jailed, Families Decry Government Negligence
By Bulatlat.com MANILA – Families of the two overseas Filipino workers who were charged with possession of illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia accused Philippine embassy officials of negligence after their loved ones were sentenced to three years of imprisonment and 600 lashes. The families of the two OFWs, Jason and Salvador (not their real names),…
Embassy Officials in Saudi Arabia Urged to Help Overstaying OFWs Avail of Royal Pardon
By Bulatlat.com MANILA – A Filipino migrants’ rights body based in Saudi Arabia is urging the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General to take the opportunity of the granting of a blanket royal pardon to all illegal and undocumented migrants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to help undocumented Filipinos. Migrante Middle East regional…
Migrant Group Urges Philippine Gov’t to Investigate Death of OFW in Saudi Arabia
By BULATLAT MANILA — A Filipino domestic helper was found dead in a hospital in Saudi Arabia on September 8. Migrante Middle East, an overseas Filipino workers group, said they suspect that there was foul play in the victim’s death. Based on the initial investigation of the Migrante’s welfare officers, the 22-year-old victim was rushed…
Congressional Mission Reports Woeful Tales of OFWs in Middle East

By MARYA SALAMAT
Lawmakers who went to the Middle East recently expressed shock at the plight of the Filipino domestic workers there. They urged the government to promptly ban the deployment of domestic workers or “household service workers.”
Gov’t Scored for Disregarding Torture, Innocence of OFWs in Death Row
Migrante International criticized Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for disregarding reports that three OFWs in death row for the killing of three other Filipinos were tortured into confessing to the crime. Her appeal for the commutation of the sentence of the three to Saudi Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, Migrante said, is tantamount to admitting…
84 OFWs Still Stranded in Saudi Arabia
At least 84 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are still reportedly stranded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They are among the 100 OFWs who were forced to live under a bridge in Al-khandawa district after fleeing from their abusive employers. By ACE ALEGRE Posted by Bulatlat MIGRANT WATCH Vol. VIII, No. 2, February 10-16, 2008 At least…
Oil Squeeze
BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat.com The country is again facing the prospect of oil price spikes. Why? Can nothing be done about it? The country, and the world, are again being threatened with the probability of run-away increases in the prices of oil, gas, and its derivatives. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for June…