DOLE suspends deployment of new domestic workers to Saudi Arabia

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Saturday that it is temporarily suspending the processing and deployment of newly-hired household service workers (HSWs) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In Katrina Son's 24 Oras News Alert report, the deployments were suspended due to a labor abuse incident involving a retired Saudi general who allegedly maltreated several overseas Filipino workers in the territory.

Different employer names were also placed in the HSW’s employment contract.

It was DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III who issued this memorandum ordering the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to temporarily stop the verification of the newly-hired domestic workers.

According to the report, domestic workers and skilled workers who renewed contracts were exempted from the deployment ban. — Giselle Ombay/DVM, GMA News