DMW to seek deadline extension for Saudi Oger backwage claimants

The Migrant Workers Department will seek an extension on the online registration deadline for former Saudi Oger employees who are seeking their unpaid backwages, GMA Integrated News' Dano Tingcungco reported Monday on "24 Oras."

A day before the registration deadline, dozens of these former employees and relatives of these former employees made their way to the DMW offices, where the Saudi Oger registration process was explained to them.

Of the hundred or so claimants, not less than 80% had problems registering for their backwages due to trouble accessing the registration website or being unable to provide the needed documentation to make their claim.

Meanwhile, DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan explained that the Saudi Oger registration process was limited to former employees of the company and had nothing to do with the Saudi Arabia Crown Prince's announcement that their government would set aside P532 million for OFWs who lost their jobs.

"Ang website na pinupuntahan niyo ay hindi website ng Philippine government. Ito ay isang private initiative ng Saudi Oger," said Caunan.

"Wala pang paguusap between the Philippine government and Saudi sa claims ninyong lahat, hindi lang ng Saudi Oger, pati ng ibang kumpanya."

(The website you are registering on is not a Philippine government website. This is a private initiative of Saudi Oger. The Philippine and Saudi governments have yet to discuss all the claims, including those on other companies.)

Nevertheless, the DMW wrote to the Saudi government and made it known that they intended to discuss the Crown Prince's P532 million compensation fund.

As for those former Saudi workers who had yet to file any claim, the DMW said that these workers needed to email their former companies their proof of employment and inform them of their intent to file a claim.

The former workers would be given instructions on what to do next to acquire a claim form which they will have to sign, and which they will need to hang on to for now.

While the DMW would request for an extension on the registration deadline, there was no guarantee that this would be granted. — DVM, GMA Integrated News