Saudi king gives P1.2 B for stranded Pinoys

Saudi King Salman has donated 100 million Saudi riyals (approximately P1.2 billion) for food, medicine, housing and air fare for the thousands of stranded foreign workers, including Filipinos, in the kingdom, as Philippine officials continue to work to facilitate their compatriots’ repatriation.

An estimated 11,000 Filipino workers are stranded in Saudi Arabia after their companies were forced to close following the rapid decline in world oil prices.

“In view of humanitarian consideration and keenness of the kingdom’s government in protecting the rights of foreign workers, including stranded overseas Filipino workers… instructing, among others, the provision of all assistance to all stranded foreign workers and appropriation of the amount of 100 million Saudi riyals,” said a statement from the Saudi Embassy in Manila.

The money will cover food, medicine and housing for the stranded workers, including the Filipinos, while the authorities process their return papers, as well as their air fare.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier met with Saudi Ambassador to Manila Abdullah al-Bussairy to facilitate the repatriation of the Filipino workers.

Saudi Arabia hosts the biggest number of Filipino workers at 1.2 million of the total nine million Filipinos working worldwide.

The recent series of oil price declines has caused massive layoffs in Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose said the Saudi government waived the penalties for overstaying workers to allow the speedy repatriation of the Filipinos.

He said an interagency team from the Philippines headed by Bello flew to Saudi Arabia on Aug. 10 to extend humanitarian, legal and consular assistance to the Filipinos there.

He said many workers refused to leave despite losing their jobs.

“Their employers do not have the financial capacity to pay them, but despite this, the workers stay as they await payment of their back wages,” Jose said. With a report from AFP