Screen Workers Thoroughly, Philippine Envoy in Riyadh Asks Manila Job Recruiters

Arab News

Thursday, 23, June, 2005 (16, Jumada al-Ula, 1426)

Screen Workers Thoroughly, Philippine Envoy in Riyadh Asks Manila Job Recruiters
Arab News —

RIYADH, 23 June 2005 — Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla has asked placement agencies in the Philippines to make sure the people they send to the Kingdom are physically fit to work to avoid problems for both the worker and employer.

Guinomla issued the statement when a domestic helper from Tagum, Davao del Norte, was sent home early this week after she was found to be unfit to work just a month from her arrival in the Kingdom.

In a press statement, the Philippine Embassy said Evelyn Concon Cerna, 34, left early this week with the help of Qatar Airways, which issued her a complimentary ticket voucher.

Employer Saleh Al-Robaian brought Cerna to the embassy on June 12 to ask assistance in her immediate repatriation for further medical treatment with the support and care of her family, said the statement.

Saleh reportedly expressed his regrets over the condition of Cerna but said he could not afford to take care of her.

He complained that Cerna’s recruitment agency in the Philippines, Zina Placement Agency, should have taken appropriate measures, as required, to ensure that she was healthy and able to work as a domestic helper.

Saleh told the embassy that Cerna complained of pain in her lower abdomen soon after her arrival in Riyadh last month.

Her employer brought her to a hospital for a checkup.

“The medical report reportedly indicated a cyst in Cerna’s left ovary and recommended that she undergo further treatment as her condition made her unfit to continue working,” said the embassy.

Guinomla, who personally spoke to Cerna, commended Saleh for his cooperation in facilitating hios employee’s repatriation.

Four Killed in Accident

In another press statement, the embassy said it is working on the repatriation of four Filipino workers who died in a car crash in the capital city over the weekend.

The statement identified the four as engineer Juanito Daquis Jr., David Layog Jr., Ruben Francisco, and Benjamin Jacinto.

It said the four were on board a GMC truck which got involved in the accident on June 17. The victims were brought to Al-Dawadmi General Hospital and their identities were confirmed by friends.

Blood Money Rights

In another news release, the embassy said it has reiterated its previous requests with concerned Saudi agencies for the immediate settlement of the blood money and compensation cases of Alberto Paragas and Joseph Ramos who were involved in a tragic traffic accident in Alkhobar on Nov. 22, 2002.

According to the records of the case, Judge Saleh Al-Luhaidan, chairman of the Grand Court of Alkhobar in the Eastern Province, had rendered a decision finding another expatriate responsible for the death of OFW Paragas and should pay the amount of SR 50,000.00 to the heirs of the deceased.

The embassy also sought clarification on why the accused was reportedly released from jail without paying the blood money at the Grand Court or the traffic police department in Dammam.

At the same time, the embassy also requested the immediate scheduling of a hearing on the claims for compensation of OFW Joseph Ramos against the accused expatriate.

Ramos survived the accident but suffered serious physical injuries which incapacitated him and prevented him from providing for the needs of his family.

OFW Leader Honored

Meanwhile, the embassy honored a community in Riyadh who had been among those in the forefront of the campaign for the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers.

Guinomla last week hosted a dinner at his residence in honor of Miguel “Mike” Bolos Jr. and presented him a certificate of recognition “for the many years of voluntary service he has rendered to distressed overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Bolos, who worked as a financial analyst with the GAMA Services Ltd. (a member of the FAL group of companies), returned home after working in the Kingdom for 25 years.

He was known for his active involvement in the campaign to allow overseas Filipinos to vote in Philippine national elections.

What many do not know about Bolos was that he had been helping send many youngsters in his home province Pampanga to school. “I’m just sharing the blessings that continue to come my way,” Bolos once told Arab News.

He said he came from a poor family but was able to get a good education through hard work, which also enabled him to find a good job.

Bolos’ education and accreditation include a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Certified Public Accountant (Illinois, USA), Certified Public Accountant (Manila), member of the American Institute of Certified Accountants, the Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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