Phl, Saudi sign new agreement on domestic helpers

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino domestic helpers recruited to work in Saudi Arabia will no longer be required to pay placement fees under a new agreement between the Philippines and the kingdom.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the agreement will only allow hiring of Filipino domestic helpers through licensed recruitment agencies capable of complying with regulations of the Philippine and Saudi governments.

“The agreement is historic because this is the first time that the government signed an agreement of this nature with a labor destination country and we expect other countries in Middle East to follow and forge similar agreements with us,” she said.

Baldoz signed the agreement with the Saudi Labor Ministry on Sunday.

Baldoz said the agreement prohibits the deduction from the salary of a domestic worker for any recruitment cost. Penalties shall be imposed on violators, she added.

The new agreement will prevent contract substitution since the Saudi government has committed to fully enforce regulations on hiring of Filipino domestic helpers, Baldoz said.

Last year, the Philippine and Saudi governments agreed on a standard employment contract governing the employment of Filipino household service workers (HSW).

Baldoz said the new agreement is expected to increase the number of household service workers employed in Saudi Arabia.

“We are very confident that cases of abuse will be less after this agreement takes effect because the agreement ensures fair and humane treatment of our HSWs and involves not only the government, but also the private recruitment agencies and other stakeholders in its implementation,” she said.         Baldoz said when the agreement takes effect in July, Saudi Arabia will have to ensure the following: authenticity of the employment contract; opening of a bank account in the name of the domestic worker; a 24-hour mechanism for domestic workers’ assistance;  expeditious settlement of labor contract violation cases; and   facilitation of exit visas for repatriation upon contract completion or during emergency situations.

Saudi Arabia must also ensure that Filipino household helpers are paid not less than $400, and that they have weekly rest days and daily rest periods, paid vacation leave, non-withholding of passports and work permits, free communication, and humane treatment, she added.

Saudi Arabia agreed to establish a joint committee to monitor and evaluate compliance to the new agreement, Baldoz said.

In turn, the Philippine government must ensure that workers are qualified and medically fit with no derogatory record. All employment contracts that recruitment offices submit must be verified. 

Undocumented workers

Baldoz said undocumented workers are allowed to legalize their stay in Saudi Arabia.

She urged all illegal Filipino workers, particularly those camping out in a vacant lot beside the Philippine consulate in Jeddah, to take advantage of the guidelines and immediately correct their status.

More than half of those 10,000 illegal workers camped out in the Philippine consulate have expressed their desire to stay in Saudi Arabia.          

Baldoz said undocumented workers must pay penalties and fines related to violations of their residency permits.

“But whatever is the choice of the illegal workers, they all need to follow the appropriate processes set by Saudi authorities to correct their situation,” she said.