Polo in Jeddah overcrowded with distressed OFWs

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III (FILE PHOTO/INQUIRER)

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Philippine overseas labor office (Polo) shelter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was “overcrowded” and would not accept more distressed female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the meantime to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak. He said the 253 female OFWs currently staying in the shelter had to be repatriated before Polo can accommodate other OFWs forced to flee from abusive employers. Flights are limited, he said, but “hopefully this Oct. 27, they will be repatriated.” Bello said he had instructed officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to extend funds to the labor office in Jeddah so it could rent temporary shelters for other distressed OFWs. Migrant advocates called on the Polo to provide an alternative after it suspended last week accepting more female OFWs “being surrendered by their employers,” Bello said.

—Dona Z. Pazzibugan