16 December 2003

For Reference: Divine Garcia,
Spokesperson
Contact No.: 0063 910 2407 176

Yesterday in Riyadh, the Philippine Embassy housed over 20 troubled Filipino migrant workers. Away from the oppressive regime of the Saudi Government, the OFWs began their protest against the equally callous and cold Philippine Government.

Kapatiran ng mga Migranteng Stranded sa Riyadh (KAMI-SR or Organization of Stranded Migrants in Riyadh) vowed to starve themselves until the Philippine Government took immediate action to alleviate the worsening conditions of stranded Filipinos.

“The hunger strike will be our last resort, but we are ready to do just that to prove to the Philippine government officials the urgency of our situation,” said KAMI-SR spokesperson, Domingo Yalung.

Together there are over 300 stranded workers and unjustly jailed Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. Because it is illegal in the Kingdom to accept ‘stranded’ or ‘runaways’ into their homes, vulnerable Filipinos have no place to turn to for refuge. Consequently, they are dehumanized to equal the trash that litters the ground.

“It is appalling to think that these workers, after all they have already gone through, must risk illness and death to get the government to listen,” said Migrante spokesperson, Divine Garcia.

“The lack of shelter for male Filipinos in distress; the inaction and inefficiency of the government representatives; the dwindling repatriation fund and the realignment of the livelihood support fund; the implementation of OWWA Omnibus Policies is proof enough that the Philippine government is slowly killing off overseas Filipinos.” ###

CONTACT ADDRESS:
MIGRANTE INTERNATIONAL
[email protected]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/migrante-news-monitor/
http://migrante.tripod.com/
http://www.migrante.org/
49 Mayaman corner Matahimik Streets,
UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines

telefax: (632) 926-2838
telephone: (63-2)425-1259
alternate email: [email protected]