‘Tsinelas ko, durog na sa kalalakad’ – jobless OFW in Dubai resort to peddling in the streets

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Marcus Cato Penaflor, 60-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who moved to Dubai a few years back to try it out in the city, did not know what was in store for him.

Not knowing that the UAE’s law sets retirement for expats at 60, his luck ran out, forcing to him to resort to peddling in the streets to survive.

“Tsinelas ko durog na sa paglalakad. Na-aawa na rin ako sa sarili ko, pero kailangang lumaban,” said Marcus Cato Penaflor, who grew up in Bambang, Sta. Cruz, Manila and has five children, the eldest of whom already has a family of his own.

He has seen better days in Saudi Arabia as an industrial electrician for almost 19 years with company-provided car and accommodation.

In these hot desert summer days, daily temperature averages at 45 Celsius.

“Nakakaramdam na ako ng pagod at hirap sa buhay dahil sa aking edad,” said Penaflor, who stays in Al Jafiliya, a residential community in Dubai.

Life was good, he said, when he was still gainfully employed in Saudi Arabia. “Lahat ng suporta sa pamilya ko, naibibigay ko,” he said.

Penaflor’s age proved to be an issue because UAE law for expats sets retirement age at 60;  they could still work till 65 provided employers obtain approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

“Lagi naman akong nakakapasa sa trabaho, kaya lang kapag nalaman na ang edad ko, sasabihin tatawagan na lang. Kaya tinanggap ko na, na mahihirap akong makahanap,” Penaflor said.

Penaflor resorted to part time jobs. “Kahit ano kinuha ko. Naging cleaner din ako. Lahat ng trabaho pinasok ko. Namulot pa ako ng mga plastic na bote upan maibenta pangkain,” he said.

Around 2018, Penaflor finally got a job with an employment visa where he worked as a cook at a company canteen. A year later, however, his visa would be cancelled and he has since not able to get a new one.

Fellow OFWs have been supportive, chipping in for his food and rent. But as he wants to make money on his own, he decided to walk the streets, selling meat with help from friends who put together a little something for seed capital. “Sa isang kilo, may Dh3 dirhams lang ako,” Penaflor said.

He knows it’s illegal but he has no choice.

 “Alam ko pong bawal. Pero dito po ako kumukuha ng suporta para sa pagkain ko at pambayad ng renta. Mabuti na lang sinasagot ng mga ibang kasamahan ko dito yung upa at yung landlady ko naawa din,” Penaflor said.

The Philippine Consulate General got word of his plight and worked on his repatriation. Penaflor is scheduled to be repatriated on July 30 through a Philippine Airlines flight.

He said he plans to ask help from the government for a start-up business when he gets home. “Plano kong magtayo ng babuyan o magtinda ng bigas.  Sa edad kong ito, hindi ko na kayang magtrabaho ng mabigat,” he said.

At the time of this interview, Penaflor, who has a few days left in Dubai, was still walking the streets to make a living. “Para maka-ipon kahit papaano at may maipadala pag-uwi,” he said.