Gov’t ready to assist illegal OFWs in Saudi crackdown

Rappler.com

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No OFW arrest has been confirmed

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine embassies in Saudi Arabia are ready to assist overseas Filipino workers who might be affected by the ongoing crackdown on illegal workers.

On Monday, April 1, news broke that Saudi Arabia has launched a crackdown on undocumented and overstaying foreign workers, estimated to be about 2-3 million. Authorities raided offices and set up checkpoints, causing panic and a mass boycott of offices, schools and other areas.

The Philippine Consulate in Jeddah is still verifying reports that 30 Filipinos have been arrested in Jeddah, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez said. As of April 2, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has not monitored any arrest of OFWs.

To assist OFWs, the embassy in Riyadh has released an advisory reminding Filipinos of the existing laws covering their work permits.

“What our embassy is trying to say is if you have problems, you come to us and we will see how we could help you,” Hernandez said.

“Maybe what will happen is the embassy would, if they are arrested, extend consular assistance. If they have not been arrested yet, they could lay out [the existing laws], particularly, if they are caught – if there is no existing ban for them to go back , check if there is an existing ban,” he said. 

Aside from being prohibited from staying in Saudi Arabia beyond what their work permit allows, foreign workers are also not allowed to work for another entity outside of their employers or sponsors.

Hernandez said the Saudi government is also targeting employers harboring illegal foreign workers. – with reports from Angela Casauay/Rappler.com

Images via Shutterstock: 1, 2

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