Unpaid Saudi OFWs to receive claims soon — DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia who were displaced from their jobs in bankrupt construction companies will soon receive their unpaid wages and benefits.

Following his meeting with Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on July 15,  DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac on Thursday said cheques have been prepared for the payment of claims of 2,500 OFWs amounting to 130 million Saudi riyals or P1.95 billion.

Of these, 1,375 workers have already received their payments, which amount to 70.6 million Saudi riyals or P1.098 billion.

The DMW said that it was already coordinating with the Saudi MHRSD for the release of succeeding claims in the coming months. The Philippine agency is also assisting claimants and their families for the processing of payments.

The issue on unpaid wages was given action following the meeting of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November 2022.

The payout began a year later, but Philippine banks are not accepting the cheques because they are from Saudi Arabian banks and in Saudi riyal. — VDV, GMA Integrated News