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
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
