Stranded 'Kabayans' send out appeal
Stranded 'Kabayans' send out appeal
Dubai: Migrante, a Human Rights Group, has called on Manila to urgently coordinate with the concerned government department here in the UAE to solve the problem of the stranded 'Kabayans'.
Nhel Morona, secretary general of the non-government organisation, said there are about 3000 of his country nationals stuck in Kish, Iran. He said he found this out on his fact-finding mission to the island earlier this month. "The number keeps increasing," he said.
He also warned that Filipinas stuck in Buraimi, Oman, were 'selling the bodies' in order to pay for their accommodation and food.
He alleged that his country's diplomats here are not taking this issue seriously. "They are very relaxed about it," he said. "The issue is not about sending them home, but trying to help get them a job here. There are no stable jobs in the Philippines," he said.
Morona also alleged that the visa rule is not consistent. He said he knows of some people who went out of the country to renew their visa and returned within two days, despite the 30-days out of the country rule.
Dr Rosario Tigno, a doctor who received a presidential citation for her efforts to provide assistance to Filipinos, said some of her patients are those who come back from Kish.
"They are sick, mentally and physically. They suffer from gastric ailments, loose bowels and insomnia. Helping them (the stranded) would be beneficial to all," she said.
The doctor said major ailments of the Filipinos in the UAE are hypertension, diabetes and heart problems. "All these are work related," she said.
