DOLE chief: Suspension of OFW deployment to Saudi stays for now

MANILA – Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday said he sees no valid reason yet to lift the suspension on the deployment of Filipino workers to Saudi Arabia, unless it has settled the financial claims of some 11,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“If it’s not settled, I don't think I will have any valid reason to resume the deployment. I don't want our overseas Filipino workers to suffer the same fate when they return there,” Bello said in an online forum.

Bello said he wants to ensure that once they started sending OFWs to Saudi Arabia again, they will be treated nicely and given what they deserve.

“They should never suffer maltreatment so I want to pay our 11,000 (workers) first. Their claims have been pending for five years. That has not been settled. Who can give me the reason to lift the suspension?,” Bello said.

He, however, said they will stick to the deployment restrictions for now when asked if there is a plan to expand it.

“First, to give them all the reason and motivation to consider settling the claims of our workers. It's been more than five years, (these happened) in 2016. It is now 2022,” Bello said.

He said he is willing to sit down and talk with the officials of the host country since there was a commitment to invite him to visit the Arab nation.

“Anytime now. I will receive an invitation. The moment I get the invitation I will proceed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and make representation to the Minister of Justice to give justice to our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

In November 2021, Bello ordered Manila's labor attaches in Saudi Arabia to stop the verification of new contracts for household service workers while a technical working group is crafting new verification rules for their deployment.

The matter involved the non-payment of salaries and end-of-service benefits for one to two years of the OFWs worth over PHP4 billion. (PNA)