1,470 OFWs to be repatriated from Saudi Arabia following company lockout – DOLE

About 1,470 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be repatriated and assisted from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia following their displacement by the lock-out of their construction company employer, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday.

In a statement, DOLE said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) received a report that Azmeel Contracting Corporation excluded its workers from their place of work after its assets were frozen by the Saudi government.

The company also allegedly failed to pay its employees four months of their salaries, resulting in a protest.

Officials who flew on Monday to Al Khobar were Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, as well as those from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Department of Health (DOH) to help the OFWs.

Bello said at least $50,000 financial assistance was already sent to the affected workers.

The labor secretary also said he will discuss with the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officials regarding the repatriation of OFWs and the payment of their back wages.

“I will talk with the Minister of Labor of Saudi Arabia on the repatriation of our OFWs and the request for the Saudi government’s assistance to look for jobs elsewhere, as well as legal assistance to collect their monetary claims from their employer,” Bello said.

Bello said he is confident the Ministry of Labor will allow Filipino workers who want to continue working in Saudi Arabia to transfer to other companies after the report found that they did not participate in the protest rally initiated by workers who are nationals of other countries.

Those who will be repatriated will receive counseling and debriefing by the OWWA and DSWD prior to their return to the country, while members from DOH will help in providing relief and medical assistance.

“I am hoping that those who will be repatriated will be able to join their families this coming holiday season. OWWA, the Bureau of Local Employment and the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns will provide livelihood assistance for them upon their return,” Bello added.