DOLE tells OFWs in Saudi Arabia: Learn and observe KSA laws

The Department of Labor and Employment advised overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia to familiarize themselves with the Kingdom's laws and strictly observe them.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said unfamiliarity with the law may make working in the Kingdom a nightmare for some "unfortunate" OFWs.

“It pays to be obedient. You will never go wrong if you are following the rules and regulations of any country you are in. If you have nothing to worry about, you can do you work properly and you will be able to realize what you came there for,” she said.

Baldoz's advice came after she received a letter from Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Petronila Garcia regarding a recent issuance from the Kingdom's Ministry of Interior.

The issuance involved “Rules Governing Law-Breaching Foreign Workers” and will crack down on foreign workers who work for their own account, or illegal labor; those who abscond from work; over-stayers, including holders of Hajj, Umrah, tourism, medical treatment, transit, or visit (of all types) visas; and infiltrators arrested outside the border area.

"It will also pursue anyone who employs offending foreign workers; allows his workers to work for their own account; provides cover, harbors, or transports the same or aids them by any means, as well as recruiters who do not report overstaying recruits," the DOLE said.

The DOLE said the rules indicate an offending foreign worker shall be deported at the expense of the employer, unless the worker absconds from work and is reported immediately.

Also, foreign workers entering the Kingdom under Hajj or Umrah visa, visit visa of all types, or other types of visa, or absconded from work, shall be deported at the expense of the person employing him.

"If he is working on his own account, he shall be deported at his own expense, or at the expense of the state, if he cannot afford a ticket. Otherwise, he shall be deported at the expense of the company, establishment, or person sponsoring his visit, the carrier, or the person providing him with cover," the DOLE said.

The DOLE also quoted the rules as saying any deported foreigner shall be prohibited from entering the Kingdom, in accordance with the periods and procedures specified in regulations to be issued, pursuant to a decision by the Minister of the Interior.

Meanwhile, Hajj and Umrah companies and establishment shall notify the competent authorities of any visitor who overstays his Hajj or Umrah visa.

It said the same should be done by a person sponsoring a visitor who prolongs his stay in the Kingdom. Otherwise, the sponsor shall be deemed to be committing an instance of cover up.

Companies, private establishments, and individuals should ensure that the foreign workers they hire obtain and renew their iqama, or the residence, and work permits in due time. They should not employ workers of third parties, nor allow their workers to work for third parties, without following established statutory rules or work for their account.

Within five days, they should notify the competent authorities of workers absconding from work. Violators of this rule cannot obtain work or visit visa for up to five years.

Government agencies should also ensure that all foreigners working for them or in fields falling within their jurisdictions have valid iqama and work permits or are employed under officially approved contracts. — LBG, GMA News