My brother not paid for 5 months in Saudi Arabia
@cacay1 (83334)
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
January 6, 2016 7:54am CST
I have just learned 3 days ago from my dearest brother that many of them of mixed nationalities not anymore receiving their salary from their Arab employer for 6 months now.He suffered hunger. He did not tell in the previous months because of shame,but I sensed the tone of his messages sent to me through Facebook his hidden sufferings.
Their employer left the site leaving them helpless. He cannot go home; he wants to claim his benefits from their government as having been an OFW there for almost 27 years.
This day, I sent my brother $150 for his food and medicine through WU. The bank has a high
charge,plus they require a swift bank code. Better in WU the charge is just 1/4 from a bank charge. I really pity my brother. I cry in silence. He is a very nice brother. I hope he can claim his benefits the soonest, the better considering the chaos this time worldwide especially in the middle east.
charge,plus they require a swift bank code. Better in WU the charge is just 1/4 from a bank charge. I really pity my brother. I cry in silence. He is a very nice brother. I hope he can claim his benefits the soonest, the better considering the chaos this time worldwide especially in the middle east.10 people like this
12 responses
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@trivia79, yes true so sad feeling for years of working there, my brother by coincidence met this kind of shaky life in the other country.Actually, there are only two of them Pinoys left in their work site,others are from Pakistan,but these Pakistanis according to my brother , nice and friendly.My brother was once assigned in Riyadh, now he is Khamis , KSA, near the last boundary of Yemen. They could hear the firing and the bombing, so scary.They do not have a choice , but to survive because of love to family.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
10 Jan 16
@trivia79, My brother works there for many years.In the past KSA was somewhat peaceful and high-paying countries to OFW's, but as years go by, they became unpopular in salary giving.The salary there now is very small.My brother's remittance to his family is only 25,000 monthly, not enough if many children and having entered college.Saudi is not a ban country for Pinoys only i Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Jordan,not Saudi.Thanks.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166017)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Jan 16
You are a good sister. Hope things change for him soon.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@celticeagle, thanks friend.We are hoping at home that his employers will return to operate the site again and pay them. He is still fortunate for his site is located near a school that has a wi fi, so they can get free access of a wifi. How hard a situation would be in the absence of a wi fi.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166017)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Jan 16
@cacay1 ...I hope they do return Nice they are close to a wi-fi indeed. Would the employer just walk away? Does he have anything he can do if they have?
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Jan 16
@celticeagle Yes, friend, their employer just left them and only informed them through a call.Their employers were not paid by Saudi ministry that is why nothing to pay for them.
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
7 Jan 16
The same thing happened to my brother in Saudi Arabia, and it took us 2 months to get him back home in the Philippines. Now he is in a much better job in Australia. Just keep him in your prayers always, and research ways on what he can do to secure his benefits. It's the least that his family can do for him. You are a good sister. I also sent money to my brother back then.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@Raine38, Really? At least he got a better job now in Australia.We can't dare see our sibling at the edge of a crucial problem, and by all means even a small money just to comfort their situation.I am also happy for you able to send your dear brother some money.I wish he'll get a pay from their employers. Thanks friend.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
7 Jan 16
@cacay1 Yes, from then on our parents never let any of us work in the middle east after that. I used to work in Dubai before I moved here in the US, and while I did not experience something like that, foreign contract workers have very minimal to no rights or privileges there as far as labor office is concerned.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
8 Jan 16
@hiru84 Thanks friend, we are so sad and worried at home.If only mybrother stops his hope of the benefits and prefer to leave for home, then, we will surely have peace of mind.Thanks friend. I will ask him if they can make a follow up thru the government there.
1 person likes this
@chocolatenightingale (147)
• India
6 Jan 16
it's really sad to hear about that,even im hearing for the 1st time that,he's not paid for it from past 5 montths,its really strange,but i pray that,he really gets paid very soon.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@chocolatenightingale, Yes , very true first to hear this kind of suffering my brother has this time, not receiving a pay.This some kind of abuse by their employer.And you already that kind of country sometimes hard to deal. I pray God to touch the heart of their employers so he and his co-workers will be happy again.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
10 Jan 16
@chocolatenightingale Thank you my dear.God will be happy for your kind heart,
1 person likes this
@chocolatenightingale (147)
• India
7 Jan 16
@cacay1 ya surely even i will pray for that
1 person likes this
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Jan 16
I am so sorry to hear that. I think it is really hard for your brother to fight for his benefits there since he is alone and he may not good at their languages, too. So hiring a laywer is not suitable since it is so expensive. How about going to get some help from the policeman? Or go to the media to seek for help?
I think this employer can be put into the jail since he cheats and doesn't pay for his employees. And five months is not a short time. It is just like a snowball, it just grows and it is harder for him to pay for it since it is already a big amount.
I wonder whether it can be cheaper if you send your brother money by West Union? Or does Paypal work there? I know wiring money abroad is quite expensive. I hope everything will be good for your brother.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@youless, hi friend? they cannot out their employers to jail, for they already left for Egypt.I told him if it is better for me to go to our TV station so our government could take action, but he refused because they are afraid that their situation gets worst. It is so hard to solve, unless he will voluntarily exit in that company.He is so hopeful to get his that almost reaches to 2 Million Philippine money.And , he is not aloe there abused by their employer, so numerous.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@amnabas, it is indeed strange for my brother has been working there for many years. This is the first time he encountered a problem like this.Just imagine, he planted some veggies at the back of their site just to have something to eat. He should me thru Facebook what he planted like eggplants, sweet potatoes and pumpkin just to survive. We are restless at home.We are only waiting for his decision to home so our family could send him money for his return trip.Thanks friend.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Jan 16
@boinboing, I never expect things that cause me and my family to be restless and worried.Thanks friend.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
9 Jan 16
and yet again, our government's consulate and embassy cannot do anything there.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
10 Jan 16
@ridingbet, You are right my friend.There are many Filipinos now staying in the " Bahay Kalinga" to have food to eat , current to use and water to drink. Our politicians in our country so busy in the election without minding the sufferings of the Filipino people there.
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
10 Jan 16
@cacay1 yes and now they are already thinking of the money they will get from us tax-payers, when they are elected to office.
