Labor office to continue minimum pay rates for Saudi helpers

THE Philippines’ labor department will continue to support its $400 minimum pay rates for Filipino domestic workers in Saudi Arabia despite an employment ban in the Kingdom.

“Yes (we will stand pat on it). Una, hindi naman sa Saudi lang applicable yan e. All countries employing HSWs [household service workers] are following that,” said Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) spokesperson Nicon Fameronag in a phone interview Monday.

“We are prepared to deal with it. We remain firm on this policy in protecting our OFWs,” he added.

A minimum wage of $400 remains a standing policy of the Philippines for its domestic helpers since 2006 as indicated in a resolution of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“(The policies) is in response to the situation concerning the employment of HSWs and also dealt with the increase in the minimum age of workers, among others, hindi lang sa wages,” said the labor official.

Last Saturday, Saudi Arabia has suspended the processing, verification, and authentication of employment contracts of Filipino HSWs, citing the steep pay rates set by the government.

At the same time, Fameronag questioned claims that the agency is downplaying consequences of the Saudi ban, saying it remains anxious over its effects on workers and remittances.

Besides offering re-training programs, the agency will also provide livelihood packages, as well as possible redeployment to other countries.

Some 11,000 HSWs were deployed in Saudi last year, a far cry from the 3,000 hired during the first six months of the year.

Overall, there are some 1.2 million OFWs in KSA. (AMN/Sunnex)