06 September 2016 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to lead the Philippine government’s efforts to assist OFWs in financially troubled construction companies in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government recently clarified procedures for the filing of money claims and repatriation of foreign workers in companies such as Saudi Oger, Saudi Bin Laden Group, Al Saad Group, Al-Khodari, and other similarly situated companies that have outstanding receivables from the Saudi government.

In line with these procedures, members of the DFA Assistance-to-Nationals Team in Al Khobar assisted OFWs in various work camps and company accommodations to execute special powers of attorney in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Saudi Ministry of Justice. The Special Power of Attorney (SPA) will allow the appointed Saudi lawyers to continue pursuing claims for unpaid wages and benefits on behalf of the OFWs after the OFWs are repatriated back to the Philippines. This special procedure was established by the Saudi government with due regard to the Philippine government’s desire to repatriate OFWs in distress soonest and to secure the OFWs’ claims for unpaid wages and benefits.

After the OFWs have duly executed their respective SPAs, the Saudi and Philippine governments will facilitate the OFWs’ repatriation. And the designated Saudi lawyers will initiate the appropriate labor cases against the erring companies before the Saudi labor tribunals. The DFA will then closely monitor the progress of the pending labor cases in Saudi Arabia, and provide timely updates to the concerned OFWs and their families in due course. END