Saudi Arabia has been my home since 1983. In fact my husband, Amir and I met and married here. Our two children were born and bred here, too. And during these past almost 30 years, I have worked for the same Saudi family. I am one of the lucky expat domestic workers for my Saudi employers have done well by me and after all these years, I am treated like a family member even though I am not as energetic or active as I used to be. Still I am attached to them as much as they are to me. I am more like an honorary employee for I don't work manually. But I am not writing about my life here. What I have been reading about what has been happening to fellow expats over this past year has really hurt my heart. I agree that the citizens of any country have the first right to jobs in their homeland but is this reason enough to treat non-nationals without humanity or justice? And the report on a fellow Filipino citizen, Edgar Mendoza being treated so badly by his Saudi employer - Samir Photographic Supplies Ltd. (SPS) - after living peacefully in Saudi Arabia for 25 years is painful. I know that not all Saudis are alike and it is unfair to say that all Saudis are bad or treat their expat employees this way. But his dilemma has made me wonder: Do we expats in Saudi Arabia have any real rights? Look at Edgar, what did he do wrong? I know for a fact that his employer did not give him any choice and did not even allow him to transfer his sponsorship. His only mistake was to flee deportation where he was wrongly taken by his employer Samir Group. Why have the authorities not questioned SPS for wrongly taking him to be deported? Why have the Saudi authorities not asked Samir Photographic Supplies Ltd. to prove their claim that the Ministry of Interior verbally asked them to forcefully deport Edgar? I know Islam, for my husband is a Muslim (I am Christian). And I know that neither Allah nor the Prophet (peace be upon him) approve of such injustice and cruelty. My fear is not only for Edgar and Filipino expats but for all expats. How many of us out there have suffered like Edgar? If he has been brave enough to speak up, I know there are more and many others who are too afraid to say anything. I am sure and know that many have suffered worse than him and silently. If he can't get justice then what about others who are not strong enough? It is sad that Saudi authorities let these kinds of Saudis, the ones who break laws, get away with it. Behavior like that of Samir Photographic Supplies Ltd is what makes Saudi Arabia and Saudis look bad to expats and the whole world. If Saudi Arabia doesn't care about principles then what about the impression and message they are giving to the world? Because the message we are getting now is that we expats do not have any rights here. And that if we do have rights, we can't enjoy them. I have written this with the knowledge of my Saudi employers. They are as upset by stories like what is happening to Edgar as much as I am. And they support me and encouraged me to write to your paper and they said that I must sign my name. But I am too afraid to do so. I don't want any trouble and I don't want any problems for my employers. It seems that the bad Saudis get to win over the good Saudis. I wish the good Saudis would speak up more for we are like guests in their country. We are “guest workers” like Saudi Gazette's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ms. Somayya Jabarti said in her article. I thank you for letting me stay anonymous. Who knows what my husband's employer might do if he knew that his Filipino employee's wife talks like this? It is sad and a shame that the authorities are not more like your paper addressing issues related to us “guest workers” here. Saudi Gazette's team and editorial management, whom I know are Saudis, make their country Saudi Arabia proud. Thank you Saudi Gazette. Our prayers go to Edgar. May Allah free him and give him justice and all others suffering like him.
