03 December 2013 - Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago met with the President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban on November 20 at the Commission’s headquarters in Riyadh.
The Ambassador congratulated the HRC President for Saudi Arabia’s recent election to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Dr Al-Aiban took the opportunity to convey his personal and official condolences to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Ambassador Tago and Dr. Al-Aiban both viewed positively the recent signing of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the recruitment of domestic workers, which clearly defines the procedures for recruitment and at the same time defines the rights and obligations of both Filipino workers and Saudi employers. In addition, Ambassador Tago lauded the Kingdom for the recent adoption of the regulations on household workers, and looked forward to its full implementation.
The Ambassador also conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government and the Filipino community in the Kingdom for the royal order by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques allowing the correction of status of expatriates. He stressed that thousands of Filipinos benefitted from the correction and amnesty period. According to statistics from the Saudi Ministry of Labor, 53,330 Filipinos changed sponsor or employer and 104,364 changed profession in the work permit and residency permit.
Ambassador Tago also lauded recent statements reiterated by Dr. Al-Aiban stressing that authorities will protect rights of illegals.
The Ambassador and the HRC President expressed interest in working together to enhance pre-departure and post-arrival orientation to ensure that Filipinos coming to Saudi Arabia are fully aware of their rights as well as their obligations. The two officials discussed ways to disseminate important information on the Kingdom, its culture, laws and regulations to the Filipino community in the Kingdom and also to workers before they arrive in the Kingdom. Both sides affirmed their desire to work together in this field in the future.
In addition, both sides agreed to continue working to address human trafficking cases, including cases where workers are brought to the Kingdom to work from neighboring states on entry visas not appropriate for their purpose and stay in the Kingdom. END