Technical working group to look into payments for unpaid Saudi OFW salaries –DMW

The Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) designated a joint technical working group (TWG) for the distribution of payments for the unpaid salaries of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in bankrupt companies.

In a press conference, Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the joint TWG that would work on this was created after September's discussions between the Department and the KSA’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).

“Mula noon linggo-linggo po nag-uusap ang joint TWG tungkol sa mga detalye in relation doon sa (Since then, the TWG has been discussing the details on the) resumption of deployment,” she said.

On the Philippine side, the TWG comprises DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs’ (OUMWA) chief Paul Cortez, and the labor attaches in Riyadh, Al Khobar, and Jeddah.

On KSA’s side, MHRSD head Ahmed bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, Saudi delegation’s head Abdul Wahab, among others, were part of the TWG.

Earlier, the KSA committed to allocate some 2 billion riyals for the unpaid salaries of some 10,000 overseas Filipinos employed by construction companies that declared bankruptcy.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. received the "good news" from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

The amount will cover the unpaid salaries of workers employed by firms such as Saudi OGer, MMG, the Bin Laden group, and other construction firms that have yet to pay back Filipino workers.

Asked when the concerned OFWs will receive the unpaid salaries, DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople said they were still consulting with the KSA government on the payment details.

“We don't want to raise false expectations so everything na sasabihin namin (that we say) has to have also the concurrence of the Saudi’s side para klaro (so it's clear). We just want to assure everyone na we are working on this and it will be worked on together,” she said.

The joint TWG is set to meet Monday afternoon, Manila time, Ople said.

Since the program is still in the consultation stage, Ople warned against scammers who are already offering to assist OFWs in claiming unpaid salaries.

The requirements and other details are not yet settled, according to Ople.

DMW Undersecretary Olalia said according to records, there were 8,829 claimants from Saudi OGer and 3,454 from MMG.

However, Ople said there are still ongoing court cases in connection with unpaid salaries of some OFWs in companies that declared bankruptcy. — DVM, GMA Integrated News