The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has already issued an advisory to all Overseas Filipino Workers currently working in the Kingdom following the crackdown made by the Saudi Labor Department.
The advisory was issued on April 2, 2013, reminding Filipinos of the existing laws against working with different sponsors, or engaging in jobs other than what is indicated in their work permits, and those without work permits.
The Saudi Government is one of the countries in the Middle East who has a strict provisions against illegal workers. As one of the former OFW in Saudi Arabia, one of the most important thing to always remember to is bring your “IQAMA” everytime wherever you go.
According to numerous reports, the campaign of the Saudi Labor authorities have resulted in arrests of some violators. The Philippine Embassy have also cited an amendments to Article 39 of the Saudi Labor Law which states that”
“It is not allowed for an employer to let his (foreign) worker go out and work for others. It is also not allowed for a worker to engage in work for another employer. The employer is not allowed to employ workers who are under the sponsorship of others. The Ministry of Labor shall inspect the firms and investigate the violations discovered by its inspectors, and then forward them to the Ministry of Interior to take penal actions against them”.
“The employer is not allowed to let his worker engage in work for his own benefit. The worker would also not be permitted to work on his own account. The Ministry of Interior shall arrest, deport and take punitive measures against these violators who are working for their own benefit in the streets and public squares as well as against those who run away (from their sponsors).”
The authorities of Saudi Arabia have already intensified their inspection by going to hospitals, schools, universities, companies, accommodations and other installations to strictly implement the recent amendments to the Saudi Labor Law which punish both the erring sponsor and the illegal worker.
Filipinos with expired Iqama (residence permit) are advised to remind their employers to renew their work and residency permit to avoid problems with the Labor department.
Filipinos in Saudi may call the following numbers for more information:
Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah
(Regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Tabuk, Al-MMadinah, Abha, Jizan, Najran)
0555-219-613
0561-956-142
In the regions of Riyadh, Hail, Qassim, Northern Border, Al-Jouf:
054-591-7834
In the Eastern Region:
050-126-9742
For the Complete Philippine Embassay Advisory Click Here: Phil. Embassy Advisory
