Philippines halts workers to Saudi Arabia

[Snowy79]

From a couple of OFW that I've spoken to they are meant to use Government approved agencies and have decent contracts before departure, the reality on the ground is usually a lot different though once they land in country, added to this some OFW try to find additional off the book work which leaves them extremely vulnerable.

[hk blues]

42 minutes ago, Clermont said:

It’s a bit like that in Australia but later in the year things will loosen up and you’ll have a choice, just keep your wits about you and practice good hygiene 

I understand but we're in the Philippines and you know how things go here, if you miss the boat when your turn comes up you may wait a long time to get another chance. I think it's unlikely we'll all get free choice anytime soon - even in the UK there's no free choice.  For younger folks like me we'll be waiting a long time for a vaccine of any kind.

[Mike J]

Back on topic -  OFWs are now free to travel to Saudi Arabia and the employer will pay any fees for testing, quarantine, etc.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-lifts-suspension-overseas-filipinos-deployment-saudi-arabia-may-2021

Labor chief Silvestre Bello III says the Saudi government has assured him that foreign employers and agencies will shoulder OFWs' cost of institutional quarantine and other COVID protocols upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia

Just two days after he imposed the order, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III lifted the deployment ban on Filipino workers heading to Saudi Arabia.

"After receipt of the official communication from the Saudi government this morning which ensures us that the foreign employers and agencies will shoulder the costs of institutional quarantine and other COVID protocols upon arrival in the KSA, the temporary suspension of deployment to the Kingdom  is hereby lifted," Bello said in a statement on Saturday, May 29.

He ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to enforce the directive "immediately" and provide clearance to all departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Bello lifted the suspension after the Saudi government guaranteed that foreign employers and agencies will shoulder costs of official quarantine protocols upon arrival there.

Bello said that he understood that the suspension order "drew confusion and irritation" among departing OFWs.

"Again, I apologize for the inconvenience and momentary anguish that it may have caused our dear OFWs. It was to the best interest of our OFWs that such decision had to be made," he said.

In a May 27 memo, Bello said DOLE received reports that departing OFWs were being required by their employers to shoulder the health and safety protocol for COVID-19 and insurance coverage premium upon entry. The memo drew backlash from OFWs who were waiting to be deployed.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also said that OFWs who were not vaccinated with Saudi-approved vaccines – Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines – would have to undergo swab tests and a seven-day quarantine upon arrival.

In a statement on Friday, May 28, OFW rights group Migrante said that instead of suspending the deployment based on the reports, the Philippine government should offer to shoulder the costs instead.

Migrante highlighted its demands for the welfare of OFWs to Bello and President Rodrigo Duterte: adequate cash assistance, repatriation, benefits, and "swift and compassionate" services.

"[The Duterte government] does not help, but rather punishes, Filipinos who want to work in the KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), especially those who have already processed their papers," Migrante said on Friday.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

"[The Duterte government] does not help, but rather punishes, Filipinos who want to work in the KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), especially those who have already processed their papers," Migrante said on Friday.

If the KSA had a better offer from people who would work harder and cheaper they would take it.  So this quote is just bluster and pomp.