#OmanPride: Facebook group in Oman helps stranded Al Sawadi workers

Muscat: ‘ What’s Happening Muscat, Oman (WHMO),’ a popular Facebook page in Oman, has raised some funds and other essential items for the workers stranded at the Al Sawadi Beach Resort and Spa.
A large number of Al Sawadi Beach Resort and Spa staff has been leading a hand-to-mouth existence for the last few months as their salaries have not been paid after the hotel was shut down in the middle of March.
“We have collected more than OMR300 to pay off one little girl’s schools fees,” said Joanne James (JoJo Bird), the administrator of WHMO, which has more than 26,000 members.
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She also said the group has gathered enough food and other items that will help the workers survive for another week.
The resort was closed on March 17, and about 30 expats living in the staff accommodation, including one Egyptian family with two small children, were not paid for months.
“The Omanis who were employed there have left but they too haven't been paid for a long time. Most of them are from the nearby village and used to come daily to the resort,” James said.
At the moment the workers are living at the mercy of well wishers and the community and are hoping they get the issue resolved.
“Though we have helped them a lot, they still require drinking water, sanitary items, such as soaps, toothpaste and deodorants,” she added.
The stranded workers also expressed their gratitude towards the Farooq Clinic, which is located nearby.
“This clinic treated them for free when they had some issues,” she added.
She also cited the instance of a family living in the area, whose child goes to school and whose fees hasn't been paid in so long.
“The trade union helped in at least getting them to allow this child to finish her exams but they (school authorities) have to be paid because she won't get clearance to transfer to a government school if she has not cleared her school dues. WHMO has now paid that,” James stated.
She also pointed out that the entire motive of the campaign was to ensure that for the time being, the stranded workers at least get something to eat, drink and keep clean, as they have been left without food, electricity and money.
Those interested in donating something can visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatshappeningmuscatoman/ and request to join the group.