MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 23, 2014) – The Middle East-based overseas Filipino workers’ rights group Migrante-Middle East expressed alarm over the safety of Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia following the breakout of there Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.
It said even the old and sick OFWs, including children of those stranded, are more susceptible to MERS-CoV. Saudi has ordered the distribution of vaccines to fight and contain the spread of the deadly disease.
Just recently, four people, among them two Filipino medical staffs in hospitals in United Arab Emirates, were tested positive for the virus. There were also reports of MERS-CoV cases in Doha, Qatar.
“This situation requires an immediate action by the Philippine government through its diplomatic posts not only in Saudi Arabia but in other mid-east countries where there are MERS-CoV spread and huge OFWs concentration,” John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Monterona cited that in UAE for instance, the host government already raised ‘Orange’ alarm which means its citizen and expatriates were advised to wear mask especially going to public places.
He said Saudi has sent out text messages cautioning its citizens and the millions of expatriates, including himself, about the disease.
Monterona said the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah should conduct not only information dissemination and education campaign on how to avoid MERS-CoV, but also to conduct medical missions and monitor the health condition of an estimated 200 stranded OFWs, some with children, who have been staying since October last year inside the deportation facility there.
“We likewise call on Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh to do the same,” Monterona said, adding that there are around 100 stranded OFWs temporarily staying at embassy-rented accommodation, while there are 40 women and children at the Bahay Kalinga, also in Riyadh.
“We are urging President Aquino to issue a clear marching order to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health to quickly attend on the medical needs of the distressed and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries; form a medical team and deploy them in MERS-CoV hit countries where there are large concentration of OFWs, distressed and stranded,” he said.
Monterona also called on the Aquino government to seriously attend on the repatriation of the distressed and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia.
“We need action from his administration not just mere words of praises to OFWs whom the government hails as modern heroes due to its economic contribution through their billion dollars remittances,” Monterona said.
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