By GEOFFREY BEW
SOME sponsors are attempting to extort hundreds of dinars from expatriates trying to benefit from the government’s general amnesty, say Philippine Embassy officials.
Labour AttachŽ Alejandro Santos said the embassy received more than 80 cases of Filipinos who claimed that their employers were demanding refunds of the costs of their recruitment to Bahrain in return for their passports.
Mr Santo said tough action must be taken against those responsible .
He said some sponsors wanted fees of up to BD500 and warned some people may be put off from taking part in the scheme if they do not realise their employers’ claims were illegal.
By GEOFFREY BEW
SOME sponsors are attempting to extort hundreds of dinars from expatriates trying to benefit from the government’s general amnesty, say Philippine Embassy officials.
Labour AttachŽ Alejandro Santos said the embassy received more than 80 cases of Filipinos who claimed that their employers were demanding refunds of the costs of their recruitment to Bahrain in return for their passports.
Mr Santo said tough action must be taken against those responsible .
He said some sponsors wanted fees of up to BD500 and warned some people may be put off from taking part in the scheme if they do not realise their employers’ claims were illegal.
“The problem with employers is they are asking them to reimburse their recruitment costs,” Mr Santos told the GDN.
“It is not only domestic workers who are affected, but even skilled workers.
“These employers are very unreasonable as they are charging even those who have worked with them for a year, demanding the exact amount they paid to the manpower agency.”
Mr Santos said being accused of physical or sexual abuse and withholding salaries did not stop sponsors from demanding huge fees as “compensation” before they handed over a worker’s passport. “If their cases involve mistreatment and exploitation what right do they have to ask for money,” he said.
Mr Santos said that over 80 sponsors had retained the passports of Filipinos, who had approached the embassy hoping to take advantage of the amnesty since it was launched on August 1.
He said in such cases officials were hoping documents from their manpower agents and family members in the Philippines would be enough to act as proof of identity.
“They should not have the right to withhold passports of their employees.
General Directorate of Nationality Passports and Residency (GDNPR) investigation and follow-up officer Captain Hamad Taqi said sponsors had no right to request money from workers or withhold their passports.
He urged anyone who is facing such a situation to provide their sponsor’s contact details, so the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) could investigate. Mr Taqi added genuine cases could only be pursued through the Public Prosecution or the court. Thousands of illegal workers are expected to benefit from the initiative by returning home without prosecution or by legalising their stay before the December 31 deadline. geoff@gdn.com.bh