PH Consulate General in Jeddah Honors Saudi Couple for Improving Well-Being of Their Filipino Domestic Workers

Philippine Consular officials led by Consul General Edgar Badajos (seated, third from right) and various leaders of the Filipino Community in Jeddah with Dr. Majdi Al Toukhi (seated, center), Madame Samira Zaidan (seated, fourth from left), Wilmie (standing, first from right), and Lily (standing, second from right). (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 14 August 2018 — The Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community in Jeddah on 07 August 2018 honored two outstanding Saudi nationals, Dr. Majdi Al Toukhi and wife Samir Zaidan, for their kindheartedness and generosity that helped transformed the lives of their two Filipino household service workers (HSW)—from one filled with fear about their future to one steeped in confidence for a good life, both for themselves and their loved ones back home.

Consul General in Jeddah Edgar Badajos, who presented a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Majdi and Madame Samira for their noble deed, expressed his hope that the Saudi couple will serve as an inspiration to other Saudi employers to also treat their Filipino employees well.

“After all, a happy foreign migrant worker is a productive worker, and a productive worker means a happy Saudi family,” Consul General Badajos said.

Dr. Majdi and Madame Samira went the extra mile by allowing their two Filipino HSWs—Wilmie Carrasca Agudera, 31 years old from Davao Del Sur; and her cousin Marn Ellie (Lily) Castor, 30 years old from Saranggani Province—to enroll in the Nursing Assistant and Caregiver Course offered by a Filipino-run health training school in Jeddah even while the two were in their employ.

Ms. Agudera completed the course at the top of the graduating class, while Ms. Castor also received top honors. Armed with a new skill which Dr. Majdi and Madam Samira enabled them to acquire, the two Filipinos can look to a future confident in their ability to continue providing for themselves and their loved ones once they decide to return permanently to the Philippines. 

This beautiful narrative between Dr. Majdi, Madame Samira and their two Filipino employees is proof that while there are reports of maltreatment of some Overseas Filipino Worker, there are also inspiring and success stories.

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For more information, visit www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippine.consulate.jeddah.

Lily and Wilmie (Jeddah PCG photo)