RIYADH: A Filipino expat rights advocacy group in Saudi Arabia is urging the Philippine government to prepare for a second wave of Oversees Filipino Workers’ mass layoff.

John Leonard Monterona, convener of the United Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (U-OFW), said the possibility of a second wave of mass layoff might happen sooner or later.

“The Saudi government is the main source of infrastructure projects, but the financial standing of the host government, which is trying to fix its budget deficit, the slowdown or phasing of activities in the construction sector and other related trades are bound to lead to downsizing and thus mass layoff,” said Monterona.

He noted that some of the top 10 construction companies in Saudi Arabia were badly affected even before the drop of oil prices from $120 per barrel to $30 last year.

“Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) and Saudi Oger were the first to be hit. These companies directly employed OFWs, which reached 8,000 altogether,” added Monterona.

He said that the above figure does not include OFWs working for subcontractors, for example 60 OFWs working for Arabian Alumco Company, a subcontractor of SBG at Riyadh and Hofuf sites.

“Alumco OFWs have been stranded for five months waiting for their unpaid wages, renewal of residence permits and exit visa so that they can go home,” Monterona added.

Another case is of OFWs working for Galaxy Light, an establishment engaged in subcontracting, with general contractors under government projects.

These, too, have not been paid for five months, according to Monterona.

“It would be prudent on the part of the Philippines government to closely monitor the host government’s economic and political situation, as any changes will surely impact the 800,000 documented OFWs living and working in Saudi Arabia.

He said the Philippine government should be readying safety nets for OFWs who will be affected by more retrenchments.

On July 22, during a visit for discussions with laid off and stranded OFWs, Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the release of 500 million pesos (SR40 million) from the OWWA trust fund that will be given as financial aid to the distressed OFWs and their dependents.

Bello, chairperson of the OWWA Board of Trustees, instructed the OWWA to draft in two weeks rules and regulations regarding the 26,000 pesos financial aid to each of the laid off and stranded OFWs.