Tulfo seeks Senate probe into unpaid compensation of displaced Saudi OFWs

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate investigation into the unpaid compensation of former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia, who were displaced when their construction companies filed for bankruptcy, has been sought.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate committee on migrant workers, filed Senate Resolution No. 505 late February to look into the issue.

“There have been several reports of former Saudi-based OFWs claiming back wages and separation pay with utterly unsuccessful attempts to register their claims,” the resolution read.

“It is necessary to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to determine the extent of the problem and propose measures to address the situation,” it stated.

In November last year, the government of Saudi Arabia pledged to compensate around 10,000 OFWs following the bankruptcy of construction firms in 2015 and 2016.

The Saudi Arabian government committed to allocate 2 billion riyals or about P30 billion for the unpaid salaries.

The announcement of the payment came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

READ: Document: Senate Resolution No. 505

JPV