Nurses from the Philippines need to be aware of the draconian rules for women in Saudi Arabia and other middle east countries..............
"Unrelated men and women caught dining at a Saudi restaurant would normally be sentenced to four months in jail and 100 lashes. The same punishment applies to a man and a woman caught in a state of seclusion (khulwa)."
Saudi religious police arrest Filipina nurse, male colleague
Arab News
First Posted 17:25:00 05/01/2008
RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia's religious police have arrested a Filipina nurse for sitting in a restaurant with a male colleague, a Philippine diplomat said.
Abigail Valdez, a nurse who works at the Riyadh Military Hospital, is being held at Al-Malaz Prison on charges of "immorality," Philippine Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor told Arab News.
Villamor said the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh was trying to gain access to Valdez, who was arrested by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on Monday evening for being with an unrelated man, a taboo in the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom.
But Vice Consul Gerardo P. Abiog, who is in charge of the embassy's Assistance to Nationals Section, said Filipino embassy officials who went to see Valdez were denied access by Saudi authorities.
"She would be released if the hospital (where she works) intervenes. She's still in jail," said Abiog, adding that prison authorities said they needed the approval of senior authorities.
That's why it's a MUST that you learn the language and culture before you move to another country period. If you break their law then that's on you. Just as if someone were to go to the Philippines, you must abide by their laws, and if you break their laws then you must suffer the consequences. Do I agree with what's happening to this Filipina nurse in Saudi Arabia, no, but that's the law in Saudi Arabia and she must suffer the consequences. Let this be a lesson to anybody wanting to work overseas.
Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.
Why add insult to injury? many countries require you take a license exam to be able to work in that country
You may not fully understand how or why we Filipinos would react to such, as you were not exposed to the kind of difficulties we have here in the Philippines.
After all these horrible things that are happening there in K.S.A. , they'd require it now. It used to be quickest path to earn to help families economically(than staying here in the Philippines and working as a nurse). It's another closed avenue then for the majority of Filipino nurses...
Actually, for me, it would work well, because through that, we can somehow discourage Christians from going into a place where they cannot practice their religion(sacrificing faith for money).
Sorry, wrong statement, I was being too emotional with what happened to that Filipino who got whipped due to the practice of faith...Good riddance to KSA as an option for nurses!
May KSA also require IELTS soon...
I have changed my view and consider it as the BEST move of the century by the Saudi Arabian government and their ministry of health.
Yes, you are right, a nation should safeguard its citizen at all costs.
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Why add insult to injury? many countries require you take a license exam to be able to work in that country