PH Consulate General in Jeddah Conducts Surprise Inspection of Saudi Recruitment Agencies, Mobile Consular Mission

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah led by Consul General Edgar Badajos inspects the billeting quarters of a recruitment agency in Tabuk City, Northwest Arabia.

16 April 2018 JEDDAH — The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia conducted a surprise inspection of the facilities of Saudi recruitment agencies in Tabuk City, Northwest Arabia from 13 to 14 April.  This is a pioneering effort spearheaded by the Consulate General to ensure the safety and security of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region.  Consul General Edgar Badajos and Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo led the inspection.

“Our surprise inspection of Saudi Recruitment Agency facility is part of our efforts to protect the well-being of Filipino household service workers who are usually the target of unfair labor practices and abusive behavior by some employers,” said Consul General Badajos.

During the visit, Consul General Badajos met with six Filipino Household Service Workers in the facility who were awaiting their repatriation to the Philippines.  The recruitment agency informed the Consul General that it is currently processing their repatriation papers of the said OFWs who fled their employers for various reasons.

Consul General Badajos also engaged recruitment agencies in Tabuk by soliciting inputs from their owners/managers on the issues and challenges related to the deployment of HSWs in the Kingdom. An agency owner said that “proper training and orientation of HSWs before deploying them to their respective employers would help minimize the incidence of maladjustment and culture shock.”

Mobile Consular Mission

The Consulate General also conducted a mobile consular mission to bring consular services closer to the Filipinos in Tabuk City and other neighboring areas.  The team included representatives from the Consulate General’s Consular and Assistance-to-Nationals Section (ANS), the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PAGIBIG, and Social Security System (SSS).

During the consular mobile service, the Consulate General engaged the Filipino community and their employers through its dialogue and information dissemination program. Vice Consul Alexander Estomo of the ANS reminded those who were at the CMS to strictly follow local laws, customs, and traditions so that their personal security and livelihood would not be compromised.

 The Filipino community was also advised to take advantage of the various government services/mechanisms for hedging against emergency situations and for achieving financial security. Furthermore, Social Welfare Attaché Priscilla N. Razon reminded employers to always look after the welfare of their household service workers (HSW) and to give what is due them.

Tabuk is located northwest of Saudi Arabia and can be reached by land (ten-hour travel) or by air (one hour and 45 minutes). 

The next Consular Mobile Services will be held at the Al Bayda Hotel in Madinah on 27-28 April 2018. Those who wish to avail themselves of consular services may contact Mr. Almin Bantuas at mobile number 055 331 8653. END

For more information, visit www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippine.consulate.jeddah.

The mobile consular team in Tabuk City extends various kinds of consular services to Filipinos in Tabuk.

Social Welfare Attaché Priscilla N. Razon interacts with employers and their HSWs.