Around 464 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were affected by the Department of Labor and Employment’s decision to suspend the deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia on Friday, May 28.
“Ito ay dahil sa violations na nire-require ang mga OFWs ang sasagot sa mga COVID-19 safety protocols, insurance coverage,” DOLE said in a media briefing today.
Labor Attache from Riyadh Fidel Macauyag said that they have yet to receive official reports of the said violations, but the ban is more of a preemptive measure to make sure recruitment agencies and employers will not pass on the burden of cost to OFWs.
“Ang Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Jeddah ay hindi muna magpro-process ng mga job orders and employment contracts simula May 30,” DOLE said.
Out of the 464 OFWs, 283 were passengers of Philippine Airlines.
“We had not received any official government order directing airlines not to accept OFWs bound for Saudi Arabia, but we complied with verbal instructions from the immigration authorities who are no longer accepting OFWs for travel. We hope this clarifies,” PAL said in a statement.
“This is a force majeure situation – meaning beyond the control of (passengers). This means they can rebook for free once situation allows,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna added.
