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Migrant labor

DMW Assures Unpaid OFWs of Closer Ties with Saudi Government

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reassured unpaid overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia that they are working closely with the Saudi government to release their unpaid benefits. According to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, the Philippine government has already coordinated with the Saudi government to release benefits to 2,500 unpaid OFWs, with an amount of 130 million Saudi Riyals. The DMW is targeting to have a substantial number of unpaid OFW claimants receive indemnity by the end of the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DMW is working closely with the Saudi government to release the unpaid benefits of 2,000 remaining OFWs.
  • To date, 2,500 unpaid OFWs have received their claims from the Saudi government, totaling 130 million Saudi Riyals.
  • The DMW is targeting to have a substantial number of unpaid OFW claimants receive indemnity by the end of the year.
  • The issues discussed during DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac's visit to Riyadh include the possible renewal of existing bilateral agreements and enhancing the DMW presence.
  • The Saudi government has set aside a 2-billion Saudi Riyal fund to settle the financial claims of unpaid OFWs.
  • The DMW is asking claimants for more patience as they work to resolve the issue of unpaid wages.
  • Over 10,000 OFWs and thousands of other foreign workers in Saudi Arabia lost their jobs between 2015 and 2016 after their companies declared bankruptcy.
  • The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, informed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that the Saudi government was ready to take on the financial settlement of the claims in November 2022.

Statistics:

  • 2,500 unpaid OFWs have received their claims from the Saudi government, totaling 130 million Saudi Riyals.
  • 10,000 OFWs and thousands of other foreign workers in Saudi Arabia lost their jobs between 2015 and 2016.
  • 2 billion Saudi Riyals have been set aside by the Saudi government to settle the financial claims of unpaid OFWs.
  • The DMW is aiming to have a substantial number of unpaid OFW claimants receive indemnity by the end of the year.

Sources:

  • Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac's press conference on Thursday
  • 'Saudi Arabia sets aside $2.02 billion to settle OFW claims'

Note: The exact date of the press conference is not mentioned in the article.

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