OFWs claiming back wages must register with Saudi embassy

MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are set to receive back wages and separation pay must register with the Saudi Arabian embassy, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

DMW Secretary Susan Ople said claimants or their families have until tomorrow to register, although the agency formally sought an extension of the deadline.

Ople advised those who have already enlisted with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to still register with the Saudi embassy.

“There’s nothing to lose if we register via the platform of the Saudi government, especially for those who have changed contact numbers, transferred houses and transferred employers. It’s important that authorities know your whereabouts so that it is easier to access you if they need to contact you,” she said in Filipino.

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the Philippines has requested the DMW’s help in informing the claimants of the need to register and update their data, according to DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan.

Caunan said claimants or their families are also requested to submit a short video to ensure the identity of the registrants.

She added that claimants may register online through http://ehqaq.sa/saudioger while inquiries and clarifications may be sent to [email protected] or [email protected].

“We have already asked for an extension from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. We know that we need more time to be able to comply with this,” Caunan said.

Ople previously reported that the Saudi Arabian government has requested more time to process the unpaid wages and separation pay of about 10,000 construction workers, whose employers declared bankruptcy in 2014.

The DMW chief said she would fly to Saudi to discuss further details on the payment of claims as soon as she receives the kingdom’s notification, which she expects within the month.

Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to shoulder the P1-billion wage claims of OFWs during a bilateral meeting with President Marcos at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Thailand last year.

Ople assured claimants that the DMW is wasting no time in following up the release of their money claims.

She reminded claimants to only get the official information from the DMW and ignore unverified reports.