THE Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in Saudi Arabia has resumed processing the employment documents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning to work in the oil-rich kingdom.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia, however, said only 50 percent of the usual capacity of POLO will be processed daily.
“Only 50 balik manggagawa (BM) clients per day will be allowed and POLO would only accept a maximum of 20 individual employment contracts for verification per day,” Olalia said.
“Saudi Recruitment Agencies (SRAs) will be allowed to submit verification documents once a week,” he added.
Last September 15, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia said Filipino workers who have re-entry, work, residence or visit visas can now travel to the Middle East country.
Olalia also advised clients looking to avail of the POLO’s Balik Manggagawa and verification services to secure online appointment at www.poloriyadh.com.
Strict social distancing and health protocols will also be strictly implemented, he said.
Olalia said other transactions being handled by POLO remain suspended until further notice. They include the accreditation of new principals, the renewal of accreditation of erring foreign principals, and the application of job orders/additional job orders from construction and mega recruitment companies.
The Saudi government suspended the process of hiring migrant workers last March following the COVID-19 outbreak.
