The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) yesterday said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would grant a six-month amnesty to the thousands of illegal foreigners overstaying their visas, including hundreds of overseas Filipino workers, and that they would be allowed to leave the Kingdom without punishment.
The declaration of the amnesty comes two days before the Kingdom’s National Day, which falls on Sept. 23, when Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah usually declares amnesty for a large number of prisoners, including Saudis and expatriates, arrested for petty crimes.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said King Abdullah bin Abdulazziz Al-Saud made the announcement that would pave the way for “illegals” to go home to their home countries without any punishment.
Philippine Labor Attache David Des Dicang, who is based in Al Khobar, said the pardon would cover all foreigners who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Haj, Umrah, with visit visa or any other type of visa which had expired or those who have violated passport regulations.
Dicang added violators caught after this grace period will receive severe punishment, including jail time and heavy fines. “The punishment will extend to those who transport or shelter or employ overstayers,” he said.
The Philippine government has been grappling with the problem of bringing home stranded Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, since President Aquino has assumed office and issued the directive to DoLE to expand its protection to all distressed Filipinos. –Mina Diaz, Daily Tribune
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
