At least 7,000 household service workers have been barred from working in Saudi Arabia since last March when the Kingdom suspended processing their work papers, a Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) official said Tuesday.
“Since March 12, when the suspension of the verification and authentication on the papers of new hires were imposed, we were no longer able to deploy any household workers [to Saudi Arabia],” POEA administrator Carlos Cao Jr. said.
The suspension was implemented by Saudi government in protest of the stiff requirements imposed by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh on Saudi employers.
For instance, the Philippine government is requiring Saudi households to give maids and drivers minimum salary of $400 a month. The Saudi government, however, is standing pat on $240.
Saudization policy
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Labor then stood firmer on its Saudization policy when it said last Wednesday that it will stop hiring Filipino domestic workers due to the Philippines “strict requirements and supposedly unfair regulatory provisions.”
At the time, Saudi Arabia said it will stop issuing work visas to domestic helpers starting July 2.
The Philippines is also requiring Saudi employers to submit police clearance, vicinity map or sketch of the residence, and names of the members family members.
The Saudi government did not appreciate the requirements set by the Philippines.
Alternatives
Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) communications director Nicon Fameronag said the Philippine government is ready to assist some 7,000 would-be overseas workers by offering them employment in other countries.
Hong Kong, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Bahrain, Oman, Cyprus, and Italy are presently in need of workers, particularly coming from the Philippines, Fameronag said.
He also encouraged them to apply for local jobs by visiting the DOLE’s Phil-Job system, where over 50,000 jobs are posted online.
They could also avail of the P2-billion reintegration loan fund from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the DOLE’s skills training package dubbed Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay. — With Jesse Edep/VS, GMA News
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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