Monday, July 1, 2013

Thousands of irregular OFWs in KSA won’t make it to July 3

Thousands of irregular OFWs in KSA won’t make it to July 3
 By Belarmino Dabalos Saguing



The expiration of the July 3 extension date for amnesty of undocumented migrant workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approaching, and thousands of OFWs are still awaiting repatriation.


In the latest information we have received, only 600 of 10,000 irregular OFWs in KSA had undergone fingerprinting, Jawasat is a requirement of the Saudi directorate for passport prior to issuance of exit visas or exit permits.


It is estimated that 10,000 to 12,000 stranded OFWs who applied for the Philippine government repatriation program  won’t all be repatriated on or before the July 3 deadline of the 90-day grace period, Once the list is submitted to the Saudi government, the OFWs will no longer face possible sanctions.


Last April, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered a three-month delay to a crackdown on migrant workers in order to give foreigners in Saudi Arabia a chance to legalize their papers.


The crackdown, which has led to thousands of deportations since it began March 25, is part of labor market reforms aimed at putting more Saudi nationals into private sector jobs.



What are the DFA plans for the OFWs who are not able to secure their Jawasat after the expiry date of the sanction?


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