JEDDAH — The latest batch of 174 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were employed at the failed Saudi Oger Limited (SOL) left on Oct. 17 on board a Saudia flight bound for the Philippines. This brings the number of Filipino workers who have gone home under the Royal Order issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to 225.
Early on, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah repatriated 237 workers of SOL and 221 workers of Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) with tickets provided by the SBG, the Philippine government through OWWA, recruitment agencies, and a few by the workers themselves. A total of 683 workers, including the latest batch, have gone home so far since the repatriation commenced in July this year.
Out of the 1,845 Filipino workers of SOL, 825 have signified their intention to go home. Their names were submitted to MOL in tranches beginning August for the issuance of exit visas and tickets. The remaining 55% have opted to either transfer employer or wait for the release of their money claims from the company.
In an encouraging development, the Saudi Labor Office awarded SR1,950,000.00 to 49 Filipino workers of SBG/Advance Vision Electro Mechanical Co. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Consulate, led by Labor Attache Jainal Rasul, Jr., assisted the workers throughout the proceedings at the Saudi Labor Office. The amount represents their unpaid salaries, vacation leave, service award and other claims. The workers have also decided to return to work instead of going home.
The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah continues to coordinate with the Saudi Ministry of Labor and SBG to send home the remaining workers who want to be repatriated.
Consul General Imelda Panolong expressed the Philippine Consulate General’s appreciation to the Saudi government for extending support to all the affected SOL workers. — SG
