THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday said a large part of the claims of displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia is expected to be settled by the end of the year.
“I talked to my counterpart, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development there, and we had been assured once again that the releases will be forthcoming,” said
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, speaking at the Post-SONA Discussions in Pasay City
“Our target by the end of the year is substantially, most of the 10,000 beneficiaries have been given their benefits and claims,” he added.
So far, the Department said some 2,500 OFWs have been given their backpay and benefit claims.
Cacdac said the payment for the next batch of around 1,800 OFWs is coming in the “next few weeks” while those for about 2,200 OFWs will be settled in the “coming months.”
Cacdac said his optimism comes after his meeting with Saudi Ministry on Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) head Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi in Riyadh last July 15.
To recall, over 10,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia lost their jobs after their companies declared bankruptcy between 2015 and 2016.
In November 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman committed that his government will shoulder the financial settlement of the OFW claims by setting aside SAR 2 billion.
