Saudi Arabia: Filipino workers at restauranter MAPCO reliant on aid during lockdown & now lacking regular pay, documentation
Summary
Date Reported: 4 Aug 2020
Location: Saudi Arabia
Companies
Mohammed Al Arfaj and Partners Co. (MAPCO) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 47
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 47 - Philippines , Catering & food services , Gender not reported )Issues
Intimidation , Right to Food , Failing to renew visas , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Restricted mobility , Personal Health , Wage Theft , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: Yes, by NGO
Action taken: The workers say that MAPCO "made no efforts to process their exit visas and secure their repatriation flights". They filed a complaint at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, but it is operating at only 70% capacity at the time of writing. The company has reportedly twice promised to settle wages and dues, without doing so. The last meeting with the workers, HR and the Philippines embassy labour attaché has not resulted in progress.
Source type: NGO
"Restaurant workers driven to starvation in Saudi," 4 Aug 2020
Seven direct employees of restauranter Mohammed Al Arfaj and Partners Co. (MAPCO)... say that in lieu of their contracted monthly salary, their wages are now determined as a percentage of the store’s sales...
[During lockdown] the workers say they were left to fend for themselves for food and basic needs... they had to rely on overstretched community groups and the Philippines embassy...
many of the workers do not have residency permits (iqamas), payroll accounts, or medical insurance...
The company blamed the pandemic for the delay in documentation... Salary delays also began before the pandemic and ensuing economic crisis... some wages were stopped in January, and they are owed between one and two months salary...
40 subcontracted workers say that MAPCO’s failure to pay the manpower agencies that employ them directly resulted in delayed wages for them, too.