The escalating tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia becoming a cause for concern for the 2.2 million Overseas Filipino Workers working in the volatile Middle East. The tension between the two countries started after the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric.
According to Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia stated that “The recent development in the Middle East is worrisome for our over a million OFWs. We have to prepare for any contingencies,” Undersecretary Seguis said.
The Palace under the administration of Pres. Aquino is set to hold a meeting today at 2:00 PM with key Cabinet and other government officials to discuss the Middle East crisis.
The geopolitical conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia has spread, with two Sunni-led countries – Bahrain and Sudan – severing diplomatic ties with Iran.
Another Saudi-ally, the United Arab Emirates, said it was “downgrading” its diplomatic relations with Iran with the recall of its ambassador from Tehran. The oil-rich Kuwait also recalled its ambassador to Iran on their support to Saudi Arabia’s stance.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) more than 800,000 documented Filipinos are working in Saudi Arabia, 4,000 in Iran and an estimated 2.2 million OFWs are working in the entire Middle East.