MANILA — A total of 109 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrived on Saturday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.
The Filipino workers from three companies — Al Azmeel Contracting and Construction Corporation, Rakkan Trading and Contracting Company, and SAMAMA Company for Operation and Management — arrived at around 9 a.m. at NAIA Terminal 1 via 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 OWWA said in a statement.
“Many of the workers decided to come home due to contract violations by their Saudi employers such as unpaid salaries and/or End of Service Benefits, delayed salaries, lack of vacation leaves and failure to secure a final exit visa,” it added.
OWWA shouldered the plane tickets of the workers’ repatriation back to the Philippines.
Aside from the Special Financial Cash Assistance given to them by the agency while awaiting their flight home, they will also be receiving another cash assistance and livelihood package when they arrive at their respective hometowns.
Airport assistance including temporary shelter at OWWA’s Halfway Home and transportation assistance will also be provided to the OFWs.