The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Saturday, August 13, 2022, that a group of mediators will be deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to mediate disputes on labor issues and safety conditions for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Over 10,000 home Filipino workers have been stuck in the country since November of last year as a result of the Philippine government’s ban on sending Filipino laborers to Saudi Arabia, according to DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.
“We initiated the communication with the Saudi officials to draw a ‘win-win’ solutions for the OFWs,” said Ople.
The deployment ban was ordered over reports that some 11,000 OFWs working in Saudi Arabia were victims of unfair labor practices and exploitation from 2016 to 2021.
Former administration attempted several times of negotiation to Saudi government but left unsuccessful.
“If we can agree quickly, then I will fly immediately to sign any agreement that needs to be signed. If it takes a while then we will wait. Because I think it’s very important that whatever we sign, kailangan natin sigurado,” Ople said.
