Labor Secretary Do Not Believe Stranded OFWs Collects Trash and Sell Blood to Live
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III claimed that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in KSA not actually eating waste and sell blood in exchange for food.
Bello said, fruits and vegetables “supposedly” rejected from groceries and not really “junk” are being taken by stranded OFWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for food.
“Naniniwala ba kayo na ang isang Pilipino, isang marangal at may dangal na tao, ay kakain ng basura? The truth of the matter is may mga dinedeliver na prutas sa groceries, iyong hindi pumasa sa groceries, iyon ang pinag-aagawan ng mga kasamahan natin.”
Bello explained at a hearing in the House of Representatives regarding the situation of OFWs amid pandemic.
“Di po ito basura. Hindi po ako naniniwala na may Pilipinong kakain ng basura. Ewan ko po sa inyo, your honor, pero wala pa akong nakitang Pilipino na kumain ng basura.”
READ ALSO: OFWs in Saudi Arabia Scavenging Garbage for Food amid Pandemic
Philippine Ambassador Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto also agreed on the claim of the Labor of Secretary, based on the report of GMA News. Alonto said, vegetables that do not meet the grocery standard of quality, they go to the garbage, that’s what people are getting.
“Ang pagkakaalam po natin, base po sa reports ng ating case officers, sila po ay nabigyan po sila ng tulong. Iyong location po nila, malapit sa bakala, iyong mga mini-marts po. Ang nangyari po, iyong mga gulay na ‘di pumasa sa quality standard ng grocery, they go to the garbage, iyon po ang kinukuha ng mga kababayan natin,” Alonto said.
Alonto also said that Reynan Bancoro, the OFW interviewed by the GMA News and commented on the poor condition of OFWs in the KSA, allegedly received government assistance amounting to 700 Saudi Riyals or P9,100.
“Ang hindi ko lang po nagustuhan, iyong mismong nainterview, nakatanggap ng DOLE AKAP (financial assistance for displaced OFWs), 700 riyals po. Hindi siguro tama na gamitin iyong video na ito na maipakita na ‘di natutulungan ng gobyerno,” Alonte said.
“Sana huwag nilang gawin iyon, ine-expose nila yung sarili nila sa criminal action by their employers, very strict po ang cybercrime laws roon. Makakadagdag [din] sa bigat ng problema ng embahada at ng POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office),” he added.
READ ALSO: OFWs Stranded in Saudi Arabia Sells Blood to Buy Food Amid Crisis
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