Updated: Jun 10, 2011 00:42
RIYADH: Filipinos who have been camped out at Jeddah's Haj Seaport Terminal departed for home Thursday on two flights, according to Labor Attache Vicente Cabe of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) at the country's consulate in Jeddah.
With the 110 Filipinos who departed on Thursday, the total number of repatriated Filipinos sits at 350, said Cabe, “out of 790 who had registered (recently) for repatriation.”
Most of the Filipinos arrived in Manila on an Etihad Airlines flight. An estimated 350 more Filipinos are waiting for clearance from Saudi immigration authorities so they can travel.
“We will then issue their tickets,” said Cabe.
Cabe added that the 110 Filipinos who left included those who had absconded from their employers as well as those accused of nonviolent crimes such as theft and immorality.
Those seeking to return home under a current amnesty for those who entered the Kingdom legally — such as for work or pilgrimage — but have since become illegal residents, either because they ran away from their jobs and entered the black labor market or overstayed their visitor or pilgrimage visas. Those who want to be included in the amnesty program just have to register themselves with the POLO in Jeddah.
He added that the tickets were provided both by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.