Recruiters nix unified contracts for OWs in Saudi
By Margaux Ortiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:32:00 09/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Leaders of local recruitment agencies appealed to their member-firms and the Philippine government to remain steadfast in opposing the unified contract for overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia.
Victor Fernandez, Jr., president of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc. (PASEI), also warned members of Congress against refusing to take up the cudgels for the OFWs.
"Doing this would make your constituents doubt your sincerity in protecting their relatives who are working overseas and you (legislators) would suffer their vengeance in the 2010 elections," Fernandez said.
The head of the country's biggest single land-based association of licensed overseas employment service providers also lauded the snowballing support of key national political leaders behind its campaign to stop the unified contract from being implemented.
The Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom), a private grouping of Saudi recruiters, has been batting for the immediate implementation of the unified contract, which would require Filipino workers to pass through them.
During his meeting with Saudi Ambassador Mohammed Ameen Wali on September 1, Fernandez said the ambassador responded positively to his personal appeal for the deferment of the implementation of the unified contract.
He, however, requested industry practitioners to remain steadfast and vigilant as the temporary deferment would only be effective for about 30 days during the month of Ramadan.
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