Gov’t seeks ‘viable solution’ on Saudi ban on maids’ hiring

MANILA, Philippines — The Aquino administration will attempt to work out with the Saudi government to reconsider its ban on the hiring of Filipino maids, according to a Palace official.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Friday labor authorities are seeking a “viable solution” to the new labor policy in Saudi Arabia while finding alternative employment markets for Filipino workers.

Valte admitted that they are concerned by the Saudi’s decision to stop granting work permits for Filipino domestic staff.

“We have been constantly working with the counterparts of (Labor) Secretary (Rosalinda) Baldoz, with the Saudi officials. We are trying to find a viable solution to the problem,” she said in a Palace news conference.

“We are exerting our best efforts to reach a resolution to this problem,” she added.

In seeking a resolution to the problem, Valte assured that the government will continue to protect the welfare of workers seeking employment abroad.

Saudi authorities earlier announced it will no longer issue visas for domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia. The Aquino government earlier sought higher pay and greater protection for its female workers turned down by Saudi Arabia last May.

Valte said the new labor policy in Saudi Arabia affects only new hires and not those who are already working in Saudi Arabia.

She likewise allayed concerns of prospective workers in Saudi Arabia, saying there are “other options, other markets” that can absorb those who can’t be accepted.

The labor department earlier said Australia and Canada are among the countries that need additional migrant workers.

Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee, pressed Friday the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to initiate and pursue the holding of a Philippine-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) to discuss various issues affecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Legarda made the call after the KSA suspended the processing and verification of applications by Filipino domestic workers bound for that oil-rich Middle Eastern country.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the implementation of the new hiring policy of the KSA, also known as the Saudization program, might displace 90,000 low-skilled workers.

Local firms in the KSA are required to hire a minimum number of Saudi citizens. The categorization might be completed on Aug. 30.

The Senate resolution No. 443 filed by Legarda pressing the convening of the PHL-KSA JCM stated that the KSA is host to over 1.5 million Filipinos.

Legarda said the note verbale issued by the KSA Ministry of Foreign Affairs temporarily suspending the processing of applications by Filipino domestic workers bound for the KSA have implications upon these workers and their contracts that are to expire in the coming months.

For his part, Sen. Francis Escudero said the government should not ignore the new Saudi policy as it will not only affect the employment of new hires but could also potentially displace domestic workers already in the oil-rich nation.(With reports from Mario B. Casayuran and Hannah L. Torregoza)