Will it be the end of the line for some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) working in Saudi Arabia?
Lately, Saudi government has released an advisory that it is not going to renew the residence permit of foreign workers in 35 skills category.
Among those skills are pharmacist, security guard, and office workers like human resource and administrative manager.
According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), OFWs working in Saudi have a 2-year contract with their employers. Between 2017 and 2018, there were more than 300,000 OFWs who went to Saudi to work.
If they have a 2-year contract, this means that it may expire soon together with their residence permit. This scenario only leads them to think and worry about their future because it would ultimately mean that after their contract expires, they will be forced to go home.
This new policy will not only affect the OFWs who are already working in Saudi but also to all Filipinos who are aspiring to go to Saudi to work.
In its latest advisory, Saudi government also warns all OFWs who are in the age bracket of 35-54 years old to be advised to go home for it no longer needs their services. However, it is not clear yet whether this policy applies to all professions.
All these measures are part of Saudization or the so-called laying-off of foreign workers in order to give the Saudi nationals the opportunity to work.
One OFW, Romela Galanza, who is working as a physical therapist in Saudi expressed her sentiments. She said that she feels the effects of Saudization in the hospital where she is working. According to her., many jobs which used to be offered to Filipinos only are now given to Saudi nationals. Saudi is now prioritizing the employment of its citizens.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that there is a financial and livelihood assistance to all OFWs who will lose their jobs due to Saudization.
DOLE advised all OFWs in Saudi who will be affected by Saudization not to stay illegally. DOLE will assist them in looking for a job in other countries that are open for foreign workers. – LMI
Source: GMA News
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