Pinoy workers overstaying their visas in Saudi given amnesty

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