30 Filipino drivers in Saudi accuse firm of overcharging fees

Dammam city: Image by unjoshr via Flickr

A   brief    report    from       Dennis  Carcamo   of  the    Philstar   news service       indicates that Filipinos driving buses in    Saudi Arabia  are financially exploited.

John Monterona, representing the Filipino Imigrant workers' advocacy group Migrante,   disclosed      that   thirty  Filipino bus    drivers  had decried the alleged illegal charging of  fees by   the company  that recruited them and by its tie-up firms in Manila.

The workers were among the  300  bus drivers of the Saudi Public  Transport company based in the city of Dammam. 

"They claimed that their recruiter agency charged them [a] huge placement fee that led them to get an onerous loan from various lending agencies,” Mr Monterona said in a statement. 

The 30 drivers, recruited by PERT-CPM Manpower Exponents Co. Inc, had been on the job nearly four months.

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Son fears for absent father's welfare

Philippine Army seeks guerrillas around father's home town

At 09:54am this morning, Philippine time, Jason contacted me from an internet cafe in San Isidro, Laguna using the Yahoo Messenger program.

He was sad and worried, having received text messages yesterday from Susan, a woman friend of his father Melchior.

Susan said for the past week Melchior had been absent from his home in the hilltop village of San Antonio, Laguna, and staying in the town of Majayjay, Laguna.'Last night', Jason said, 'I can't sleep thinking about my father: what happened there?'

I wondered why Melchior went to Majayjay. 'That's my problem Bern' Jason said: 'why he went... I ask Susan why but she can't answer; that's why I'm thinking and worried.'

Jason had no idea about his father's situation. 'I don't know what he['s] doing there; I ask Susan if my father have work there; say nothing...'

He wanted to accompany Susan to Majayjay this morning. 'She know where he is. That's why I want to go in San Antonio now; to [be] clear about my father['s] situation and why he went there but... '

Jason was worried because he suspected Susan had many friends in the communist New People's Army.

There were many NPA guerrillas around San Antonio, and many Philippine Army troops trying to find them: 'And my father every day is in the mountain' [as part of his charcoal-making and rice growing activities].

I did not see that Jason's father had done anything that should cause him to be afraid of the NPA or the army but Jason repeated: 'I'm very worried Bern; that's why I want to go with Susan in Majayjay now.'

Majayjay was far from San Isidro. Jason had a motorcycle, 'but I don't have money for transportation, or for the gasoline; I need 500 PHP [to go] with Susan; I think it is enough to go there to see my father.'

I was sad about that but my own life had become quite difficult and I lacked the financial resources to help.

'Also: last night Tina wanted money to take two children to the Laguna Provincial Hospital but I couldn't help.

'Michael planned to take Mel to the Philippine General Hospital Out-Patients Department this morning. I fear they'll need money for pathology tests and prescriptions but that's a big problem for me too.'

Jason was downcast and repeatedly apologetic: 'I know your situation Bern... sorry for sharing this to you ... I try what I can do now; I'm sad and worried about my father; I want to see him... don't think about what I'm sharing.'

Jason's hour online was running out. I hoped his father had family cellphone numbers in his possession, and someone kind enough to allow him a text; and that Jason still had some cellphone credit. 'Texts to me via Yahoo are OK', I said. They would be much cheaper than SMS messages to my cellphone.

An hour and 20 minutes later, Jason sent me a text: 'Bern, I'm not yet go to Majayjay, can't borrow money for d transport, or for gasoline. All my [friends and relations] are "don't have." I'm sad.'

I was sorry to hear that. 'I'll think about the problem', I replied, 'but money is a big problem [for me too] now. I suppose Susan is also short of money.'

'I don't know what to do now Bern...' Jason said. I want to see my father but I can't do nothing.'

'Maybe you're worrying too much', I responded. 'There's an old saying, though: "No news is good news." I trust something will turn up.'

Benefactor reluctantly agrees to remit money for hungry families

SMS text messages via Yahoo Messenger program
Time: 10:31:32 GMT+08. Duration: 00:43:20

Tina: Bern, try out text if I sent. Pls, help us. D kids [are] crying coz they are hungry, I want to [start] back in making chocolate [candies for sale] again to have extra income and also [re-open] d eatery; pls help us.

Bern: Tina, with great misgivings, I'll try to help a little, but I'm going deeper into debt. I've finally decided to publish this online, hoping others will help.

Tina: Bern, can you help me start partial capital of 3K of making chocolate, 3K for d eatery, pls. All adult[s] [in the household] will help me to making a chocolate again; total 6K.

Bern: Tina, at 9:03 a.m. you said you were sending your last text and had no money to buy load. What happened? I'm deeply shocked by this sudden emergency. 6K is a lot for me.

Tina: I borrow[ed] 15 pesos load to [i.e. from] my friend, near lunch, we're not eat since a.m., if I have 6K, we can start again, to have business, income for d family, so we will not suffer hunger again.

Bern: I guessed you must have borrowed a little. I'm deeply perturbed but will try to help a little. I can't promise that much.

Tina: OK, thanks a lot, thanks for understanding, d kids will wait to your help, they are happy when I said you will help us, just wait for a little hour & we can buy food later.

Hunger and lack of money pervade community

At 7:24 p.m., Filipino time, Tina texted that she had received a message I had sent to her brother-in-law Mel and herself.

Sad to say, Tina advised, Darwin, the live-in partner of her mother-in-law Josie, had not done anything to provide food for Josie or others in Josie's household.

Payday for the Power Station security guards (who owed money to Tina) would be on the forthcoming Thursday night; the problem was how her roadside diner business could survive while she was waiting for the money owing.

One bright aspect was that for Coca-Cola there was "lots of demand" and this would continue until the 15th day of the month.

Micro-businesses greatly handicapped by lack of capital

E-mail from Tina sent at 13:56 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the reply e-mail from Joe, which I mention to you, to invest in my store. As I expected, he give his negative opinion.

What I can I do Bern, the canteen manage[d] by Sol will be close till Oct 25. Tell you the truth, she did not buy any more stock right now, coz she just want to collect for the payment on Oct 25.

The stock I buy last Saturday was almost gone, coz all security guard goes to our store. Bern I don't want to get additional capital from 5/6* just to support the needs of guard, coz I don't want to happen to my store [what] happen to the canteen manage by Sol.

I hope you understand, if you have a chance please help me to explain to Joe the situation.

Tina

-----

*5/6: a short-term monelender who charges high interest.

Mel distressed after waiting for information and assistance

Mel (18:42:41): Bern what the new's about your help, I'm very sorry for question[ing] you about that! Love.

Bern (18:45:25): On Friday I succeeded in sending money via PesoEpadala.com to Tina to be picked up through Tambunting Pawnshop in Paete. It's a Globe G-Cash outlet.

Bern (18:46:58): I also succeeded in sending Tina 900 pesos worth of Smart load. Tina says there is great demand for her to sell on credit to security guards' families.

Bern (18:47:33): I was very much hoping Tina and Jovs would be able to help you but until now this has not happened.

Mel (18:47:49): Ah! I see but Bern there's a problem of my account you cannot send money to my SIM card like Tina bcoz we're different SIM card and its available only for Smart load.

Bern (18:49:03): I succeeded in sending 900 pesos worth of Smart load to Tina. I tried to send 900 pesos worth of Globe load to her also but she hasn't received it.

Bern (18:50:26): Mel I will send load to your Smart phone if I can be sure that you will receive it. The PesoEpadala office in Sydney is not open until tomorrow, however.

Mel (18:52:09): But how can I use that, I'm not handed my phone, I pawned it.

Bern (18:54:12): Yes, Mel, I understand that, so the situation is more difficult. If I succeeded in buying load, perhaps Jomar or Jester could get the benefit.

Mel (18:56:33): No, Bern, stop trying if it's hard or difficult for you. I will stop hoping that you can help me Bern. You always take care: this is my last text for now. I love you!

Bern (19:00:10): Thank you for your love, Mel. But please don't ask me to stop trying. I'm so sorry it's your last text for now. I will find some way to contact you again soon. Love.

Mel (19:01:35): No, don't worry about me, I will be OK! Goodbye!

Ministore proprietor's request for financial help coldly rejected

October 19, 17:56 GMT+8: E-mail from Tina to Joe

Dear Joe,

I have a good news, I have a collection worth 5,337 from the other guard[s], here in NPC [National Power Corporation], it was deducted from their salary, last pay day it's only 3,000, now it's increase[d] depend[ing] on how I can have a stock from the store, like rice, can goods, household needs, cigarettes and groceries.

Joe I scan to you the list the name and my collection to prove that the store you provide for us has improvement.

Joe, Jovs now was with us, he continue his work, and serve as a messenger of order.

Joe, our problem now: it's of them ask[ing us] to provide then 25 kls of rice, and other lots of groceries:

25 kls of rice x 30 persons (8 sacks x 1,200) . . . . . . . 9,600

Cigarettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000

Load to sale from Globe and Smart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000

Groceries, soft drink etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,400

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000

Joe, can you help us to have this additional capital for the store. It's a big help for us. I hope this is the only way Jovs make busy to help me in managing the store, and he realize to stay with us.

There is no problem in collection, if I can have this capital I can earn 500 to 1,000 pesos cash daily from the store.

I hope you understand.

Tina

October 21, 20:31 GMT+10: E-mail from Joe to Tina

If you do not make enough from the shop to buy new stock and have some profit left-over, you should not have the shop.

You can NOT rely on me to keep paying for stocking up.

Joe

Poor parents cannot afford school uniforms so uncle pawns cellphone

October 16

Mel (20:16:24): Bern my sister Anagel need help too for her son Gilbert and Angelica for their uniform in school 1500 jogging pants and t-shirt it cost 750 each.

October 17

Bern (08:59:02): Hello Mel. Are you saying that jogging pants cost 1500 each and T-shirts cost 750 each? What is the TOTAL cost for the two children, Gilbert and Angelica?

Mel (10:48:42): Yes Bern, bcoz it's not like ordinary jogging pants and t-shirt, it needed print name and print of the name of they school, that's why it's expensive: 1500 for dey both.

Mel (10:53:36): I mean to say Bern that jogging pants and t-shirt cost 750, plus Gilbert too, that's why the total is 1500 for the two children; sorry for misunderstood my texts.

Bern: (18:38:54): Mel, the Peso Epadala business has an office in Sydney. Their website indicates that I may be able to buy Smart loads for you. But exactly what kind is best?

Jomar (18:52:10) [using Mel's number]: Mel said if you text just let him know. I will told him you text, but now I'm the owner of this phone. He pawned me this bcoz he need money. I'm Jomar, Mels friend.

Bern (18:59:27): Hello Jomar. Thank you for your text. I'm extremely disappointed that Mel pawned his cellphone. May I ask when you'll see Mel again?

Bern (20:02:11): Jomar, may I ask: if Mel wants to get back the cellphone from you, how much will he need to repay you?

Jomar (20:29:45): Bernie I don't know, I text you again if he is here. He said will go here again to asked if you text. Sorry I cant text you more. I don't have more load now.

Bern (20:32:12): OK Jomar, thank you very much for that. You'd better save your load and I hope you'll be able to get more soon. I worry about Mel. Best wishes to both of you.

Jomar (20:36:00): One more thing! Mel decided to pawned this bcoz he said his sister Anagel need money for her son and daughter. That's all I knew. That's why I accept this.

Bern (20:38:58): Mel texted me this morning that they needed jogging pants and T-shirts at a total cost of 1500 for 2 children. I don't understand why so much rush suddenly.

Mel desperate again

Mel* (22:45:11) [using Jester's cellphone]: Gud evening Bern I hope dis time you can help me Bern, pls, I really really need your help: I don't have cellphone now: [I] need[ed] to pawn it to buy food and pay elec[tricity]. Love, Mel. Pls Bern.

Mel* (22:47:45): So sorry for d tyms dat I can't text you! I know you understand my situation, no-one can help me now. I need to pawn my phone to have money, and I want to [make a] trip to find job somewhere.

Bern (22:47:49): Hello Mel. I'm really sorry you pawned your cellphone and a little surprised you never told me earlier. I think OTHER people in your house must also pay [for] elec[tricity].

Mel* (22:49:47): I am desperate now: Jester knows dat, bcoz every tym I'm down I know I can count on him, bcoz you're so far to me: I can make it through d rain if you here by my side; I love you.

Bern (22:49:59): As always, Tina's also urgently wanting much money. Alice's 1st cousin died in Mount Isa city, far away, 3:20pm Filipino time today, [she] wants us to go there.

Bern (22:52:25): Alice shocked me an hour ago when she asked me if I'll go to Mount Isa with her. So far, so costly. I couldn't answer her. Life is difficult.

Mel* (22:52:52): Bern pls help me dis tym, I am crying now. Sorry, tell Alice condolence; so sorry. I don't know what to do now. I can't stop thinking.

--

* Mel was using Jester's cellphone.