DOLE orders intensified aid to Nitaqat-affected OFWs

 


The Department of Labor and Employment has ordered the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Saudi Arabia to intensify  assistance to overseas Filipino workers affected by the Kingdom's Saudization policy.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz had ordered Labor Attaches Adam Musa (Riyadh) and Alejandro Padaen (Jeddah) to lead the intensified assistance efforts.

"I expect you to submit a twice-a-week update on the status of the OFWs and results of measures undertaken by the Post," she said. (http://www.dole.gov.ph/ro_polo_updates/view/450).

Earlier, Baldoz, in a memorandum on April 22, ordered a thorough documentation of affected OFWs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Aside from identifying OFWs' problems, the documentation also include the their last arrival date; name/s of sponsors; last known employer; Philippine recruitment agency; and the foreign placement agency.

Also, Baldoz ordered the POLOs to negotiate with the OFWs' original sponsors to take back the OFWs. If that is not possible, they should at least negotiate the release or transfer of the OFWs to new employers.

Should these not be possible, the POLOs are to negotiate with the employers for the waiver of penalties and the issuance of the necessary documents such as the "No Objection" Certificate, to facilitate the issuance of the OFW's exit visa.

Easlier, Musa said the POLO-Riyadh records showed 1,371 runaway workers are seeking repatriation.

These include 860 household service workers, 117 children and infants, 494 male skilled workers, and 17 company-based female workers.

But he said Saudi employers belonging to the Green category, or those companies already with high Saudization rates, had submitted job orders to the POLO for OFWs who may be dislocated or terminated due to Saudization.

He said Centerpoint Department Store, with branches all over the KSA and parts of the Middle East, offers at least 1,000 jobs for Filipinos.

"There are also other companies and establishments who have approached the POLO and offered jobs for any OFWs who are displaced because of the Saudization,” he said.

Musa said the POLO had provided one mobile phone line and one landline each to POLOs in Al-Khobar, Unaizah, and Riyadh so personnel can respond immediately to workers.

In Jeddah, Padaen said 28 OFWs from three affected companies requested POLO assistance in the facilitation of their final exit clearances, renewal of working and residence permits, and transfer of employment and payment of claims and benefits.

"The POLO has already requested Saudi authorities for a list of companies under the red category, or those companies who does not have the required number of Saudi employees. Our purpose is to obtain a clear profile of affected OFWs, to identify possible interventions, and to conduct dialogues with the employers," Padaen said.

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