JEDDAH — As the deadline of the amnesty nears its end, several undocumented Filipinos in Jeddah who have failed to rectify their status are now trying to beat the deadline by applying for an exit visa to be able to go home before Nov. 3. Some undocumented Filipinos interviewed by Saudi Gazette said they are already losing hope of a possible transfer to a new sponsor as they only received promises until now. Most of them shared the same story: They had applied to a new job and the new employer promised to transfer their sponsorship while working but failed. They said they have no other choice but to go home, and most of them have already sought their consulate's assistance. Marlon Gatdula, chairman of Migrante in Jeddah, said the group is receiving complaints from several undocumented Filipinos, saying their new employers cheated them. Gatdula said most of them have been waiting for months to rectify their status. “There are plenty of our compatriots who are in that situation and we understand their plight as they really want to stay and continue working because of their family but since the clock is ticking, they are already deciding their fate,” Gatdula said. He said those who are staying at the consulate's shelter are also worried even though their travel documents are currently being processed by the immigration authorities. They are clueless as to what will happen after the amnesty expires. Gatdula urged the consulate to speed up the processing of the exit visas of those stranded. Meanwhile, Philippine Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay explained his understanding on the crackdown that will take place after the amnesty. He said based on reports he read in newspapers, Saudi authorities will focus on expatriates working for other sponsors and those who are not working the same profession listed on their iqamas. “The authorities know that our undocumented compatriots are already processing their exit visas so I don't think they will go after them,” said Garibay. Garibay said the remaining undocumented OFWs staying at the temporary shelter inside the consulate along with others staying in a makeshift tent beside the consulate have been transferred to a new location. He said the government promised to provide a clean and safe shelter for undocumented compatriots while their exit visas are being processed. Garibay said the consulate is doing its best to help the remaining undocumented Filipinos receive their exit visas so they could go home.
