Special passport processing for HSWs held in Saudi
Since possession of a valid passport is especially important to foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, the Philippine embassy in the Kingdom conducted a special one-day passport processing for household service workers (HSWs) in its premises in Riyadh on April 21.
Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto said the implementation of the pioneering special HSW passport processing program is necessary to overcome the limitations of the embassy’s passport appointment system in catering to the consular needs of HSWs – in adherence to its mandate of promoting the welfare and interest of Filipinos overseas, especially those from the most vulnerable sector.
The HSWs generally find it hard to book an online appointment for passport processing as many of them do not have access to the internet. Other factors include the unavailability of employers in transporting their HSWs to the embassy and the inability of the HSW or the employer to navigate the embassy’s passport appointment system, according to the embassy.
Aside from foreign travel, possession of a valid passport is required in the renewal of iqama which is the main identity card for expatriates that is accepted in Saudi Arabia.
Divina Vergara, a house- hold service worker who renewed her passport during the event, expressed gratefulness for the special passport processing project for HSWs.
“This is a big help for us,” Vergara said.
“My employer doesn’t how to do this appointment and Idon’t have a computer,” she added.
During the event the embassy was able to process 177 e-passport applications, 18 extension of passport validity and two travel documents.
Alonto said he is hoping to implement the program not just in Riyadh but also in various areas in the Eastern and Central regions of Saudi Arabia.
Embassy officials, staff, attached agencies, as well as the diplomatic spouses came in full force to ensure the successful staging of the event.