Philippines, Saudi Arabia create joint panel to monitor OFWs

THE governments of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are set to constitute a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) that will closely monitor the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East state.

In a social media post, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said part of their agreement in the resumption of OFW deployment to Saudi Arabia is for the creation of the JTWG.

“The JTWG will have a periodic consultation and discussion with the Saudi government,” said Cacdac.

He said that will tackle OFW welfare cases, those that have finished their job contracts and are seeking repatriation, and those that want to pre-terminate their contracts due to cases of abuse/maltreatment, among others.

“These and other issues involving OFWs will be discussed so that they will be addressed,” said Cacdac.

Last Monday, the Philippines resumed the deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia.

This is the result of the bilateral talks held between the Philippines’ DMW and the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development of Saudi Arabia.

In November 2021, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued a memorandum instructing the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Riyadh, Al-Khobar, and Jeddah to temporarily suspend the verification of employment contracts for Saudi-bound OFWs. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

Source: Philippines, Saudi Arabia create joint panel to monitor OFWs – SUNSTAR