- RIYADH: The Philippine Embassy has cautioned concerned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to wait for further information on the Kingdom's recent announcement of a six-month general amnesty for immigrants who are residing in the Kingdom illegally.
"We will seek an audience with Ministry of Interior officials to clarify who are included in the amnesty. The ministry said in its announcement that the amnesty would cover those who arrived in the Kingdom on Haj, Umrah, visit or any other type of visas which had expired, or violated Passport Department laws," Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor told Arab News.
The ambassador said he wanted to know if the amnesty covers maids and other domestic workers who have run away from their employers. Once the embassy knows more details it will issue a statement outlining the details of the amnesty, he added.
"Once we get the details as to who are covered by the amnesty we would be in a better position to help OFWs who have run away from their employers," said Villamor. "If they are covered by the amnesty we at the embassy can help them regarding the necessary procedures for their departure," he added.
"Two OFWs who had run away from their employers called me to ask what they should do to avail of the amnesty," said Consul Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr.
Labor Attache David Des T. Dicang told Arab News by phone from Alkhobar that he had also received calls from runaway OFWs asking if they are covered by the amnesty. "I told them that we are still waiting for the official announcement and guidelines from the Saudi authorities," he said.
"There are things that need to be clarified regarding the amnesty, such as who will pay for the tickets of the runaway OFWs in going home, assuming that they are covered by the amnesty. And if they are covered, what documents are needed by the Passport Department? Does the Passport Department require a copy of the iqama or copy of the passport?"
Rizal, a runaway housemaid from Binangonan, said she escaped from her sponsor and now works in the black labor market, earning SR1,500 a month, or SR300 less than she earned working under her sponsor. "My question is if a runaway like me avails myself of the amnesty would be able to come back to the Kingdom legally to continue working for my present employer," she said.
