PH Consulate General in Jeddah to Help End Labor Woes of Hidada Filipino Workers

Consul General Badajos (left) talking to the workers.

JEDDAH 20 April 2018 – Consul General Edgar Badajos of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah met with some workers of the Hidada Contracting Co. Ltd. to listen to their sentiments regarding the failure of their company to send them home and release their remaining salaries and benefits.  The said workers also lamented their predicament of being unable to support their basic needs as well as that of their families in the Philippines.

Around 391 skilled male Filipino workers of Hidada were stranded in Saudi Arabia since November 2017.  More than 160 have already returned to the Philippines or have transferred while around 130 more await repatriation.  Others opted to move to another company while most of them await the release of an average of two months-worth of unpaid salaries.

Consul General Badajos assured them of the support of the Consulate General in resolving their concerns. Although negotiations are ongoing with the Hidada management, the Consulate General is also coordinating with the Ministry of Labor in Jeddah to ensure that the rights of the workers are protected. Consul General Badajos instructed Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and Welfare Officer James Mendiola to take a stronger stance on negotiations with the management.END

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

Welfare Officer Mendiola (left) explaining the status of negotiations with Hidada Contracting Co. Ltd.