An alliance of Filipino migrant organizations on Tuesday called anew on the government to immediately act on the case of 60 Filipino construction workers in Maldives who earlier requested for immediate repatriation in order to be relieved from their awful situation.

Migrante International said in a statement that Philippine authorities had known the case since July but have yet to provide workers the necessary assistance.

“We have already called the attention of the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh but they did not respond accordingly. Are they awaiting deaths before they make a move?’’ asked Gary Martinez, MI chairperson.

“We challenged the concerned authorities to speedily respond to their (workers) legitimate demands,’’ he added.

Citing reports from families of the workers, Martinez said the laborers complained of lack of food and potable water and unpaid five-month wages.

He said the workers were not given any payment for five months since their start of work.

“They were only given cash advances once or twice with an amount not more than the equivalent of P4,000,’’ he said.

The workers were also reportedly provided porridge for breakfast and rely on their own catch of fish for the rest of their meals, while they get drinkable water from rainfalls.

The families also claimed that many of the workers are already sick and were not given any medical assistance.

Martinez said that some of the workers had done odd jobs like repairing houses of local residents to provide themselves the basic needs such as soap and medicines.

Based on its employment contracts with Ashley Alexis Builders Corporation, the workers will be paid US$300 every month, with “free, suitable and comfortable housing facilities and adequate and nutritious meal or adequate compensatory allowance of US$50 per month.’’

The contract also stipulates that workers be provided free medical and dental services, including free medicine and free hospitalization when necessary.

The group called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment-Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (DoLE-POEA) to immediately supply the workers with ample food and water, and medical services.

They also urged the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to utilize the repatriation fund, amounting to P100 million.