Saudi Arabia says repayment to displaced OFWs 'well underway' | ABS-CBN
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Saudi Arabia says repayment to displaced OFWs 'well underway'
Saudi Arabia says repayment to displaced OFWs 'well underway'
MANILA -- The Saudi Arabian government has expressed its commitment to pay off the pending wage claims of thousands of overseas Filipino workers who lost their jobs in the aftermath of the 2015 economic crisis.
MANILA -- The Saudi Arabian government has expressed its commitment to pay off the pending wage claims of thousands of overseas Filipino workers who lost their jobs in the aftermath of the 2015 economic crisis.
In a statement sent to ABS-CBN News, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) said ensuring the timely payment of wages for all employees in the Saudi labor market is a priority of theirs.
In a statement sent to ABS-CBN News, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) said ensuring the timely payment of wages for all employees in the Saudi labor market is a priority of theirs.
Although it has yet to disclose how much of the payouts have already been distributed.
Although it has yet to disclose how much of the payouts have already been distributed.
“The repayment initiative, which is well underway, is testament to the Kingdom’s firm commitment to protecting the rights for all workers in the Saudi labor market. We will provide a more detailed update on the scheme in due course,” it said.
“The repayment initiative, which is well underway, is testament to the Kingdom’s firm commitment to protecting the rights for all workers in the Saudi labor market. We will provide a more detailed update on the scheme in due course,” it said.
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Back in July, Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Kingdom had only so far released P1.95 billion to 2,500 Pinoy workers who were displaced when the Arab companies they were working for declared bankruptcy.
Back in July, Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Kingdom had only so far released P1.95 billion to 2,500 Pinoy workers who were displaced when the Arab companies they were working for declared bankruptcy.
Based on the Department of Migrant Workers’ list, there were a total of 10,554 OFWs affected.
Based on the Department of Migrant Workers’ list, there were a total of 10,554 OFWs affected.
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh earlier said it was also in talks with the Saudi government to fast track the processing of the unpaid claims.
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh earlier said it was also in talks with the Saudi government to fast track the processing of the unpaid claims.
Apart from the repayment program, the MHRSD said it has also introduced other measures to safeguard workers in Saudi Arabia and to protect them against the risk of contractual breaches.
Apart from the repayment program, the MHRSD said it has also introduced other measures to safeguard workers in Saudi Arabia and to protect them against the risk of contractual breaches.
This includes the Wage Protection System— an electronic salary transfer system that ensures employees are paid their wages on time and in full.
This includes the Wage Protection System— an electronic salary transfer system that ensures employees are paid their wages on time and in full.
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Just last October, the MHRSD, together with Saudi’s Insurance Authority, also launched the Expatriate Worker Wage Insurance Service for Private Sector Defaults which would cover the unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private sector defaults.
Just last October, the MHRSD, together with Saudi’s Insurance Authority, also launched the Expatriate Worker Wage Insurance Service for Private Sector Defaults which would cover the unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private sector defaults.
“The service covers specific benefits, including allowing foreign workers in defaulting companies to receive their entitlements — within the financial limits of the policy — and provide a plane ticket to return to their home country, within the policy’s financial limits,” it added.
“The service covers specific benefits, including allowing foreign workers in defaulting companies to receive their entitlements — within the financial limits of the policy — and provide a plane ticket to return to their home country, within the policy’s financial limits,” it added.
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s goal to enhance the overall efficiency and appeal of the Saudi labor market especially to skilled foreign workers.
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s goal to enhance the overall efficiency and appeal of the Saudi labor market especially to skilled foreign workers.
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