A total of 1,470 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia will be returning home after being removed from their jobs following a company lockout.
Citing reports received by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that the OFWs were displaced from their jobs under Azmeel Contracting Corporation. The assets of the company were reportedly frozen by the Saudi government.
Aside from being removed from their jobs, the company also did not pay the salary of the OFWs for four months.
A group of labor officials, including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, flew to Saudi to discuss with labor officials there the deployment of the OFWs and the payment of their unsettled salaries.
Bello will also meet with the Minister of Labor of Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of allowing the OFWs to look for jobs and transfer companies instead of returning home.
“Makikipag-usap ako sa Minister of Labor ng Saudi Arabia para sa pagpapauwi ng ating mga OFW at hilingin ang tulong ng pamahalaan ng Saudi para sa paghahanap ng trabaho sa ibang lugar, gayundin ang tulong-legal para sa mga monetary claims ng mga manggagawa mula sa kanilang employer,” ani Bello
Contrary to the earlier statement that affected workers will receive $50,000 each, Bello clarified that they will receive P20,000 financial assistance instead.
Ang maibibigay lang ng OWWA ay P20,000 cash assistance, Bello said in an interview with GMA News.
The returning OFWs will be receiving assistance from OWWA, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Umaasa ako na iyong mga uuwi ay muling makakasama ang kanilang mga pamilya ngayong darating na Kapaskuhan. Sa kanilang pagbabalik, bibigyan sila ng ng tulong-pangkabuhayan mula sa OWWA, Bureau of Local Employment at ang Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns,” Bello said.
