Saudi labor minister assures GMA on safety of Pinoy workers

Visiting Saudi Arabian Labor Minister Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Namia reassured President Arroyo yesterday that his government would extend all the assistance to ensure the safety of some 750,000 Filipino workers who might be affected by possible hostilities in the Middle East.

Al-Namia promised the President that Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will enjoy full protection in case of an emergency evacuation that may arise from US retaliation against terrorists.

The Saudi official gave the reassurance during a courtesy call on Mrs. Arroyo yesterday at Malacañang, where he was accompanied by Saudi Ambassador Saleh Mohd Al Ghamdi.

Apart from the President, Al-Namia also met with his Philippine counterpart, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, who is also the chairman of the International Labor Organization, and Ambassador to Saudi Rafael Seguis and labor attaché Arturo Sodusta.

The President said it was only natural for the Philippine government to be concerned about the welfare of Filipinos working in Saudi.

She suggested that a special contingency plan be laid out by the Saudi government to facilitate the transport and repatriation of OFWs in case of an emergency situation. The US has blamed Saudi exile Osama bin Laden for the attacks in New York and Washington and is preparing possible military action against Afghanistan, where the suspected terrorist is hiding.

The Philippine government earlier activated "Oplan: Aguila," which details emergency evacuation procedures in case of hostilities abroad.

Sto. Tomas said Philippine officials are meeting with their Saudi counterparts to discuss contingency measures, including use of facilities.

She also said Philippine embassies in the Middle East have started to update lists in their registry to make sure all Filipinos can be given assistance when necessary.

In her meeting with the Saudi official, Mrs. Arroyo underscored the strong labor relations between the two countries, citing the huge number of OFWs that have been working in Saudi for decades.

The Department of Labor and Employment estimates that of the one million OFWs in the Middle East, some 750,000 work in Saudi Arabia.

Relatives of Filipinos working for companies owned by the Bin Laden family in Saudi Arabia are becoming very anxious about their economic future as US retaliation looms. – Marichu Villanueva, Sandy Araneta, Efren Danao