After almost a one-year long ban, the Philippines will resume deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including domestic workers starting November 7, 2022.
This is a result of the talks between Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers that aims to create several reforms to improve the welfare and better monitor the working conditions and deployment of OFWs in the Kingdom.
Reforms towards better welfare protection of workers
Based on the bilateral talks, both countries have agreed to the following action points to protect the rights of Filipino workers and to work against the trafficking of migrant workers:
- Create a Technical Working Group with representatives from both parties to monitor the labor reform implementation and to work together when resolving concerns of workers
- Create a blacklist and whitelist of recruitment agencies and employers in both countries. Blacklisted agencies will no longer be allowed to recruit workers.
- Revise the Standard Employment Contract of OFWs, which should be updated with the Saudi Labor Reform Initiatives. Insurance for unpaid wages will be included in contract clauses, as well as providing the “timely release” of wages via electronic means, and a pre-termination clause.
- Implement a “fully-automated” recruitment process for a smooth and efficient process.
- Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on combating trafficking of persons, investigating and prosecuting offenders, and providing support for trafficking victims in the Philippines and in Saudi Arabia
- Regularly convene for Joint Committee Meetings “to ensure full compliance” with bilateral agreements and “explore developments of recruitment procedures in both countries”
What can employers expect?
As an employer, now is the best time to find and interview potential applicants to join your family in Saudi Arabia! Doing so will significantly shorten the time for you to find the best match and apply for their visa once the deployment resumes by November 7.
Helper Choice offers an online service platform where you can contact ready-to-work applicants directly from the Philippines and save thousands of riyals through direct hire recruitment!
HelperChoice also offers a direct matching service where you can receive shortlisted profiles based on your requirements and preferences.
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