Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot warned jobseekers in the Philippines against accepting job offers in Saudi Arabia using visit visas. Apparently, Sawary Marketing and Development Group, a company in KSA recruiting Filipino staff for various supermarkets but does not issue working permits/ residency permits (iqamas) to hired workers.

The Consul General said “Unless you are looking for trouble, don’t attempt to come to work in Saudi Arabia without a work visa,” he said.

Seven illegally hired workers upon learning that they have no working visa chose to return to the Philippines instead. However, Sawary only gave them their plane tickets and passports but did not secure their exit visas.

The head of the consulate’s Assistance to Nationals Section, Vicky Salian said the action of Sawary is a clear proof that they want to avoid their responsibility to the workers. Consulate officials said they are considering to file a formal complaint against Sawary Marketing and Development Group

Aside from the fact that Sawary did not give the workers proper working visas, illegally hired workers also suffered from poor accommodation and low salary. They were also required to pay excessive placement fee.