THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it will negotiate with the Saudi Arabian government for the speedy repatriation of 2,235 undocumented overseas Filipino workers who are camped outside the Philippine consulate in Jeddah.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said government will ask Saudi Arabia for the waiver of certain requirements like the no-objection certificate from employers who can no longer be contacted.

Hernandez said the DFA is also coordinating with the Filipino community in Jeddah for assistance in locating undocumented OFWs who need assistance or repatriation.

He said consulate officials in Jeddah are obtaining the narratives of each OFW "in order to render sound, legal advice and the appropriate assistance on a case-to-case basis."

He also appealed to the OFWs to return to their previous residences while the consulate is processing their repatriation documents instead of risking their health camping out under the sweltering Saudi heat.

The OFWs, according to migrant workers groups helping them, are anxious to get out of Saudi Arabia before July, the deadline for illegal workers to legalize their stay in the desert kingdom.

The Saudi government earlier said it would enforce labor laws and punish illegal workers with imprisonment and fines amounting from 1,000 to 50,000 Saudi riyals.

Saudi Arabia has the largest number of OFWs of about 1.5 million, according to figures from the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration.

Source: http://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/29157-2000-undocumented-ofws-mass-in-jeddah