THOUGHTSKOTO

Showing posts with label OFW in Saudi. Show all posts

Friday, June 30, 2017

Illegal Expats You Have Another 30 Days to Leave Saudi

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given a month or 30 days extension to all illegal expatriate, including Filipinos to leave the country without fines or jail terms, under the Amnesty Program.

The 90 days amnesty period has started last March 29 and ended last June 24 but the Directorate of Passport announced that it is extended for a month.

The extension has already started last June 25 (Shawwal 1). It means, all who violates Saudi law, regardless of nationality can leave Saudi voluntarily.

Read Also: WHO WILL BENEFIT WITH THE AMNESTY NOW IN KSA?

Read Also: TAGALOG: 10 Steps on How to Avail Online Appointment of Saudi Arabia Amnesty Program

The one-month extension aims to give violators enough time to leave the Kingdom of their own and at their own expense under the program, "Nation Without Illegal Expats".

It allowed expats in violation of the rules to leave the Kingdom without being subject to fines or being blocked from reentering the Kingdom legally.

With this, the Saudi government is calling all illegal staying expatriate in Saudi to take advantage of the amnesty and complete their departure procedure.

They are advised to quickly report to the nearest reception center to benefit from the penalty exemption before the new deadline expires.

Meanwhile according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), a total of 5, 176 undocumented Filipinos have returned home from Saudi Arabia after availing of the 90-day amnesty program.

DFA said, some 12,000 Filipinos having a problem with residency and labor regulation in Saudi Arabia, has managed to register for deportation.

SEE MORE:

www.jbsolis.com

SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

SAUDI WOMEN WANTS DH/HSW's SALARIES TO BE CUT BY HALF OR SR1,000

A campaign was launch in Saudi Arabia to cut down the high wages of domestic helpers or household service workers (HSW) following the austerity measure of the Saudi government.

The wages of housemaids have been standardized at SR2,000 a month.

Saudi women campaigner feel that SR2,000 (P26,000) is high salary and it should be cut down to SR1,000 (P13,000) especially when the income of Saudi families has diminished gradually as a result of austerity measures.

(Household Service Workers in Saudi Arabia)

Saudi women have formed a group that is asking Saudi families not to pay salaries higher than SR1,000 to their maids.

The Saudi women's group also wants to stop the monopoly of housemaids who work illegally after running away from their sponsors.

As of now, there are 40,000 Filipina domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia.

Last 2012, a bilateral labor agreement is signed by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that sets the minimum salary of Filipina domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia to US$400 and entitles them to a weekly day off, an annual holiday of at least 30 days, the right to keep their passports, and a strict 9- hours-work-per-day policy.

(Domestic Helpers or HSWs undergoes training for Saudi Arabia)

Because of the said agreement, deployment of Pinoy DH in Saudi has increased from 11,000 in 2013 to 30,000 in 2014 and then 70,000 in 2015.

According to Recruitment Consultant Emmanuel Geslani, the number has down to 40,000 due to the oil crisis.

Due to the said crisis, the Kingdom implements austerity measures such as cutting allowances and benefits for government employees, decreasing the demand for domestic helpers among Saudi households. (Source: Saudi Gazette, Rappler)

SEE ALSO:

126 RECRUITMENT AGENCIES IN SAUDI, BANNED FROM RECRUITING DH;478 EXPAT MEDICAL STAFF, LOSES JOB IN KSA

2 SAUDI OFFICIALS, WARNS "BANKRUPTCY" IN THE KSA WITHIN 3-4 YEARS

SOME HOSPITALS IN SAUDI, BANS TAKING PICTURES

Monday, August 29, 2016

RECRUITMENT AGENCY MIGHT FACE SEVERE PENALTIES OVER OFW DEATH IN SAUDI

RECRUITMENT AGENCY MIGHT FACE SEVERE PENALTIES OVER OFW DEATH IN SAUDI
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration headed by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac vowed to give justice to the death of a Filipina OFW who was allegedly raped by her employer in Saudi Arabia. ]
Irma Avila Edloy ,35,died at 11:45 p.m. last Thursday,Saudi time,after being in coma for days.Irma,arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 28 this year.She was deployed by a local recruitment agency in the Philippines for her principal employer Al Sayyar Recruitment in Riyadh.She was rushed to King Salman Hospital early this week sustaining severe injuries believed to be caused by sexual assault.She suffered several cardiac arrests while she was in intensive care and collapsed into coma.She reportedly pointed to her employer when she was asked at the hospital with regards to the person that abused her.Medical examinations conducted on her confirmed that she was indeed being sexually abused.

The POEA had started the investigation of her employer in Saudi and her recruiter in the Philippines.

If the agency has failed to meet its obligations to the OFW who died in Saudi Arabia,they will face severe penalties.

The Philippine recruiter who deployed Edloy is under investigation for alleged failure to monitor her condition while she was in the hospital and also for alleged failure to relay the complete information to POEA about her situation.
According to POEA,recruitment agencies are mandated to monitor their workers and immediately report changes in their status such as illness or death.They must also have Facebook pages to allow their recruits to contact them and report incidents any time.
The agency must also pay two years' worth of salary and other benefits to the bereaved family of the OFW,Cacdac added.

Secretary Bello directed the representatives of the Public Attorney's Office to take up the case and and render legal assistance to the victim.

Read More:

China's plans to hire Filipino household workers to their five major cities including Beijing and Shanghai, was reported at a local newspaper Philippine Star. it could be a big break for the household workers who are trying their luck in finding greener pastures by working overseas China is offering up to P100,000 a month, or about HK$15,000. The existing minimum allowable wage for a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong is around HK$4,310 per month. Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the haven for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income. DOLE is expected to have further negotiations on the launch date with a delegation from China in September. according to Usec Say, Chinese employers favor Filipino domestic workers for their English proficiency, which allows them to teach their employers’ children. Chinese embassy officials also mentioned that improving ties with the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte has paved the way for the new policy to materialize. There is presently a strict work visa system for foreign workers who want to enter mainland China. But according Usec. Say, China is serious about the proposal. Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said an estimated 200,000 Filipino domestic helpers are presently working illegally in China. With a great demand for skilled domestic workers, Filipino OFWs would have an option to apply using legal processes on their desired higher salary for their sector. Source: ejinsight.com, PhilStar Read More: The effectivity of the Nationwide Smoking Ban or E.O. 26 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environment in Public and Enclosed Places) started today, July 23, but only a few seems to be aware of it. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Executive Order 26 with the citizens health in mind. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the executive order is a milestone where the government prioritize public health protection. The smoking ban includes smoking in places such as schools, universities and colleges, playgrounds, restaurants and food preparation areas, basketball courts, stairwells, health centers, clinics, public and private hospitals, hotels, malls, elevators, taxis, buses, public utility jeepneys, ships, tricycles, trains, airplanes, and gas stations which are prone to combustion. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. Read More: ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas to be provided by the owner of the establishment. Smoking in private vehicles parked in public areas is also prohibited. What Do You Need To know About The Nationwide Smoking Ban Violators will be fined P500 to P10,000, depending on their number of offenses, while owners of establishments caught violating the EO will face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the destination for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income.

Monday, December 07, 2015

Call 19911 or Contact Labor Ministry of Saudi For Complains on Labor Abuse or Grievances

We often get this kind of message on Facebook... An OFW needs help, she is being physically abused by her employer... a domestic worker is being threatened by her employer... an OFW is not getting his salary for many months already... another is asking for advise that the contract of employment is being violated and the OFW is working as domestic worker but he/she was hired as nurse. These are only few among the many employment problems that many OFWs face.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, or violation in your contract of employment what are you supposed to do?

The Saudi Government now launched an online system where employees can report any kind of grievance, or inquire what should be done when there is contract violation.

Employees, employers, and jobseekers can go to the website of the Labor Ministry and set up a video call, or send e-mail.

For domestic abuse, which is very common case among female domestic workers. It is advisable to call 19911 or visit the website of musaned, a department in the Ministry of Labor that deals with complains on domestic abuse, employment contracts and recruitment service. Employees with delayed salary for at least 3 months can also complain to the Ministry by calling or through their website.

Messages can also be sent through their website for other kind of complains or ministry’s Twitter account @mol_care or calling 19911.
According to an article published by Saudi Gazette video call service shall also be available in their website.

“The ministry often receives inquiries from employers, employees and jobseekers. The ministry has a team of technical staff ready to answer the questions it receives via mail or email. However, in order to further expedite the process, the ministry launched its new video call service,”

Sunday, December 06, 2015

OFWs and Expats Need To Close Bank Account Before Exit

Expats and Overseas Filipinos working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to close their bank accounts prior to exiting the Kingdom.

In a report via Arab News:

"The Interior Ministry (of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) has warned citizens and residents to be careful with their bank accounts by not allowing anyone to use their accounts for terrorism-related purposes.

Specifically, security expert Nayef Al-Marwani said that these bank accounts remain a dangerous security breach and may help in the financing of terrorism electronically between individuals. He added that most cases of terrorism depend on such modes of electronic finance, which is proven to have been used to fuel the events of Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States.
Al-Marwani said that it was essential that the parties concerned are made aware of this and make closing their accounts prior to departing the Kingdom a top priority.
Al-Marwani also suggested that as soon as expats apply for their final exit visa, this should be contingent upon the person closing their bank account prior to the visa being supplied."

Source: Arab News
Update from one of the commenter:

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

EXTEND YOUR PASSPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES, EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES FOR FREE!

Advisory on the Gratis Extension of Passport Validity

Advisory on the Gratis Extension of

Passport Validity

(Riyadh, 25 August 2015) – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh wishes to inform the Filipino community

that pursuant to the instruction of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, the Embassy

offers to all applicants for passport renewals the EXTENSION of the validity of their passports,

FREE OF CHARGE (Gratis).

Extensions shall be processed and released within the same day of application.

Passport extensions for all shall be available ONLY UNTIL THE END OF 2015.

source

If you are outside the country, please visit your Embassy or Consulate for more details.

The Department of Foreign Affairs issued this advisory dated 19 August 2015 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offers to applicants for passport renewals in the Philippines and abroad the extension of the validity of their passports (for 1 to 2 years) free of charge (gratis).

Extensions shall be processed and released within the same day. Passport extensions for all shall be available only until the end of this year.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

OFW in SAUDI ARABIA, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP YOUR PASSPORT

via DFA: The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reiterates to all Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia that, under Saudi and Philippine law, they have the right to keep and hold on to their Philippine passports while working in Saudi Arabia.

The Philippine passport is considered to be the property of the Republic of the Philippines and only the bearer has the right to keep it in his custody.

The Embassy firmly reminds companies and employers in Saudi Arabia who continue to keep their foreign workers’ passports, as a matter of practice and against the workers’ will, that they are violating Saudi law, specifically Council of Ministers Resolution No. 166 dated 12/04/1421H (14 July 2000) which clearly states that “every employee has the right to keep his passport in his custody.”

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated to the Embassy this week that this rule remains in effect and that any overseas Filipino worker (OFW) whose passport has been kept by their employer has a right to complain to the Ministry of Labor or the police.

Full Text of the Advisory below:

OFWs Have the Right to Keep Their Own Passports

(Riyadh, 21 May 2015) – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reiterates to all Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia that, under Saudi and Philippine law, they have the right to keep and hold on to their Philippine passports while working in Saudi Arabia.

The Philippine passport is considered to be the property of the Republic of the Philippines and only the bearer has the right to keep it in his custody.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated to the Embassy this week that this rule remains in effect and that any OFW whose passport has been kept by their employer has a right to complain to the Ministry of Labor or the police.
(END)

Via Saudi Gazette NEWS POST as of July 28, 2015

"The Ministry of Labor has warned private sector companies and establishments against withholding passports of their expatriate employees in violation of a Council of Ministers' decision issued in this connection more than a year ago.

The ministry said employers who fail to implement the directives would face severe penalties, according to Akhbaar24 website.

A source in the ministry quoted by the Makkah daily said the number of companies and commercial establishments with a workforce of more than 60 percent expatriates had dropped to 900,000."

SEE ALSO:

SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, QATAR, OMAN, BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT HOLD WORKER'S PASSPORT

PHILIPPINES AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI: REPORT IF YOUR EMPLOYER REFUSED TO GIVE YOUR PASSPORT

Germany, Most Powerful Passport, Afghanistan, Least Powerful, Philippines Can Enter 61 Countries Without Visa.

DFA: OFW PASSPORT RENEWAL, ONE DAY PROCESSING ONLY IF YOU COME EARLY TO THIS BRANCH!

Sunday, July 19, 2015

"SA SAUDI KA LANG PALA?"

Dates photo taken at Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

When we went home, one Sunday afternoon in the Philippines, I bravely and briefly conducted Saudi 101 in a group of around 100 people in our congregation, telling them what the real life in Saudi is.

What makes it different working in Saudi than in any other place? What makes a certain place/country the best location to work? Nice and beautiful sceneries? Cozy and pleasant environment? Tall and skyrocketing buildings? Salary and high-income places? Peace and satisfaction?

Facebook post here
*******************

SAUDI KA LANG PALA?!

(Madami po kaming kaibigan sa ibang bansa maging sa US, Canada at Europe. Hindi po mahalaga para sa amin kung nasaan tayo, ang importante po, tayo ay nagsisikap para sa ating mga magagandang pangarap sa buhay at para sa ating mga minamahal)

“San ka ba galing?” Tanong niya sakin. “Saudi po ako. Isang buwan at kalahati kaming nagbabakasyon dito. “

Saudi ka lang pala, akala ko nasa Utah ka na, or di ba mag-aaral ka sa Hawaii?”

(Umismid ako sa “Saudi ka lang pala”. Biglang uminit ang aking pakiramdam.)

“Ay hindi na po ako natuloy sa Utah, wala po kasi kaming pera noon para sa show money para maaapprove yung scholarship grant ko sa BYU or sa Hawaii.”

“Anong trabaho mo dun sa Saudi? Ang init-init dun di ba?”

“Chemist po ako. Mainit po kung summer pero sobrang lamig naman pag winter. Nagissnow pa nga po minsan sa Riyadh, capital city ng Saudi.”

“Ilang taon ka na dun? Sabi nila kapag matagal ka na sa Saudi, pag-uwi mo, wala ka nang trabahong makukuha at wala ka nang masyadong alam. Nakakabobo daw dun.”

(Nagpanting ang tainga ko, dinig na dinig ko ang kalampagan ng drum at cymbal, pati kampana. Bumuntung hininga ako at sumagot…)

“ Magwawalong taon na kami dun, kasama ko ang misis ko, at dun na ipinanganak ang dalawang baby namin. Walang trabaho? Baka po wala ng mahanap na trabaho dahil kakarampot po ang sahod ng mga ultimong technician dito, minsan nga 3 months kontrakwal lang, ang dami pang deductions lalo na tax at baka po nabobobo dahil hindi po kami ganun kaupdated ng mga nangyayaring corruption lalo na sa gobyerno at mga krimen na nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas.”

Sabay tanong ko sa kanya, “Nakapag-abroad na po ba kayo? “
(Alam ko na nakapagbakasyon na siya sa Hongkong, sa Europe, sa Macau, sa US.)

“May mga kakilala po ba kayo na nagwowork din sa Saudi o sa Middle East?”

Si Pareng Domeng niya daw, at ang mga pamilyang Maganto at mga anak ni Aling Trisya mga OFW daw yun sa Saudi o Dubai hindi niya matandaan, pero mahirap pa rin daw ang buhay. Yung isang anak nga ni Aling Trisya, umuwi daw dahil 3 months na walang pasahod ang kompanyang pinapasukan.

“Bakit kasi Saudi pa kayo nag-aabroad, ang dami naman sa Malaysia, sa Singapore o sa Australia o sa US o Canada.”

Depensa ko, “Ano po bang kaibahan ng OFW sa Saudi kaysa sa ibang bansa? Sa Middle East po, we enjoy some benefits that other OFW’s doesn’t enjoy. Most common is the free tax kaya buong-buo ang salary na makukuha mo. The benefits and standard of living of most OFW’s are higher because the costs of living are cheap as well as the price of goods. Nakakaipon ng malaki kasi nga walang taxes and many fees. And besides pangalawa po sa US ang Saudi at Middle East sa may pinakamaraming OFW sa buong mundo. With regards to the walang pasahod, marami po talagang ganung kwento sa Saudi, kakaawa nga eh. Pero sipag, tiyaga at tibay ng loob ang labanan sa buhay abroad. Dyan sa pamumuhay sa Middle East lalo na sa Saudi na siyang sentro ng relihiyong Islam nasusukat ang tibay ng isang OFW.”

“Sa Saudi na pala pinanganak ang anak niyo, di Saudi citizen yan?" Tanong niya.

“Hindi po wala pong ganyan sa Saudi. Filipino pa rin po sila. Sa totoo lang po, mas masaya sanang kasama ng mga OFW ang kanilang pamilya dito sa abroad, pero nakakalungkot din na hindi lahat ay makakasama ang pamilya, ganun pa man, masaya na rin sila na napupunan ang mga pangangailangan na hindi kayang tugunan kung mananatili lang sila sa Pinas”

I joke around before we part ways.

“May suggestion po ako sa inyo, tutal, natour naman na ninyo ang mundo, bakit di niyo subukang bumisita ng Saudi, subukan ko pong hanapan kayo ng sponsor. Marami kayong matutunan dun, at malalaman niyo ang tunay na sitwasyon ng mga kababayan natin. May masaya, malungkot, at may nagtitiis, nagsisikap para matupad ang mga pangarap. Ipagdaddrive ko po kayo ng kahit anong uri ng sasakyan, (nagyabang ako ng konti na lahat ng klaseng magagandang sasakyan nakikita sa daan, at may mga pwedeng marentahan) pasasakayin ko pa kayo ng kahit camel! Pang-asar ko na sinabi.”

Ito pong usapang ito ay isang halimbawa kung papaano na sa sariling bayan natin or in other places ay kulang sa information at hindi tamang pananaw about sa tunay na kalagayan ng buhay OFW sa Saudi . Sa palagay ko, kung gaano kadami ang nag-aakala na kapag abroad ka ay nagmimina ka ng pera at ginto, ganun din kadami ang nag-iisip na gadisyerto ang init at naliligo ka sa pawis habang nagtratrabaho dito sa Saudi o sa Middle East. Hindi po natin kailangang maliitin ang ibang tao kung saan man sila nagwowork, at hindi rin po ibig sabihin na hindi maganda sa US o Canada o sa Australia, dito lang pinalad na mapunta sa Saudi at Middle East ang mahigit sa 1.5 milyong mga OFW, kasi may opportunity dito, maayos na trabaho, para sa katuparan ng mga pangarap sa mga mahal sa buhay. Hindi importante kung sa Singapore yung iba o Malaysia o sa Hongkong o kahit sa "Saudi lang pala", ang mahalaga, masaya ang pamilya at maging maayos ang buhay ng bawat isa.

When we went home, one Sunday afternoon in the Philippines, I bravely and briefly conducted Saudi 101 in a group of around 100 people in our congregation, telling them what the real life in Saudi is.

What makes it different working in Saudi than in any other place? What makes a certain place/country the best location to work? Nice and beautiful sceneries? Cozy and pleasant environment? Tall and skyrocketing buildings? Salary and high-income places? Peace and satisfaction?

"Saudi ka lang pala?" Mas mabuti po ito, marangal na trabaho kahit nakakalungkot, nagtitiis kaysa mamatay ka at ang buong pamilya sa Pilipinas na dilat ang mata!

Mr. Thoughtskoto with his Jeddah-born son, Galei

Mr Thoughtskoto with his Al Khobar born daughter, Hevyn

Thoughtskoto

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