Phl asks Saudi to waive repatriation requirements

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is ready to shoulder the repatriation of undocumented Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia but is asking the Saudi government to help speed up their return by waiving some requirements.

In a press briefing yesterday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said there are only 1,000 Filipinos in Jeddah. They camp outside the consulate during daytime and go home to several places at night, he said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez told Malacañang that to expedite the issuance of the exit visas, among the rules that the Philippines asked the Saudi government to waive were the presentation of the “no objection” certificate required to be issued by the employers as well as the fines for losing the iqama or work permit (1,000 Saudi riyals) and for failure to update the iqama (2,000 Saudi riyals).

“We are also committed to help in shouldering the repatriation costs,” Lacierda said.

He said the DFA also asked the Saudi government if they could provide temporary shelters for the Filipinos in Jeddah.

“Right now, we have good communication with the Saudi embassy and with the post in Jeddah, with the Saudi government,” Lacierda said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment is fasttracking the legalization of the stay of overseas Filipino workers who are facing possible deportation in Saudi Arabia.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she has tasked the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to provide the necessary assistance to Filipino workers who may be affected by the new Saudi policy, which prioritizes the hiring of Saudi citizens over foreigners. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Pia Lee-Brago