The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh) has allegedly been forced to move from its office in the plush Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh because of violent incidents that had taken place there during last year’s labor correction campaign.

The Philippine Embassy announced recently that the office would be moved to the West Umul Hamam District. It did not provide an explanation, but a source told Arab News that POLO-Riyadh was ordered to leave the building it was renting inside the Diplomatic Quarter.

The reason for the decision were the “untoward incidents during the crackdown on illegal foreign workers launched by the Kingdom in April 2013,” he said.

This occurred when a group of undocumented Filipinos went to the POLO-Riyadh office regarding their cases. “They were afraid about their illegal status and sought help but nobody would attend to them. Violence followed. They eventually went to the embassy and camped out inside its premises,” he said.

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