DMW working with Saudi gov't on OFWs back wage claims

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday has assured Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who are claiming back wages, the agency is working closely with their counterparts in Saudi Arabia.

DMW Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople issued the statement after some OFW families raised their concerns regarding the requirements to claim back wages.

Sandra Aguinaldo reported on "24 Oras," that there are about 10,000 OFWs who lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia after the oil prices plunged in 2014.

The registration and processing of claims back wages is ongoing following Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's commitment to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in November that they will pay the Pinoy claimants 2 billion riyals, or 30.5 billion pesos.

Arcel Bigayan, the widow of claimant Rodolfo Bigayan, is waiting to receive the back wages.

Her husband returned to the country in 2017 and died due to a heart attack in 2020. The family, however, has yet to receive his back wages.

Arcel said her husband already registered to claim back wages while still in Saudi Arabia. He also underwent the process prescribed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

With these, she received information that she has to register with the Saudi Embassy through http://ehqaq.sa/saudiger/.

For those who have yet to submit requirements to claim back wages, they can do so using this email address: claims@saudigerb.com

“Sa part po namin na mga widows, hindi po kami basta basta makapag-register po doon sa link ng EHQAQ dahil hindi po naman namin alam kung ano po yung ilalagay naming mga information doon. Bakit kailangan pang mag-register dahil ang inaasahan po namin is yung ipinangako ng hari kay PBBM na regalo. ‘Yun po ang sinasabi ng iba bakit pinahihirapan pa,” said Arcel.

DMW Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople assured that the agency is working on the issue with the Saudi government.

“Naiintindihan naman namin, kasi medyo emosyonal ang isyu na ito. Gusto namin ipaalam sa inyo, sineseryoso ito ng Department of Migrant Workers. Wala akong lumilipas na linggo na hindi ako nagpafollow up sa aming counterpart sa Saudi government,” said Ople.

She said that if the OFW or the family of the deceased OFW has any questions about the claim, they can write to Yousef-alswailem@saudiogerb.com, email the DMW, or contact the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

“Huwag kayong masyadong mag-aalala, ang gusto namin kung ano lang ang sasabihin ng Saudi Embassy, Saudi government, official channels yun ang gagamitin namin para maisulong ang inyong matagal na matagal na talaga na pinaglalaban,” Ople added. -- Sherilyn Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News