5,000 OFWs set to be repatriated from Saudi

MANILA, Philippines - Nearly 5,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced in Saudi Arabia are expected to return home in batches until next month, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) reported yesterday.

OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac said the OFWs would avail themselves of the 90-day “Nation Without Violations,” or the amnesty program of Saudi Arabia, which ends on June 29.

“More than 1,000 OFWs have been repatriated and at least 2,000 more are set to receive their exit visas. We are expecting 4,000 to 5,000 OFWs to come home until June 29,” Cacdac said.

Last week, 147 OFWs returned home from Riyadh and were given OWWA assistance such as stress debriefing and medical referrals.

The Department of Labor and Employment through its Assist WELL (Welfare, Employment, Legal and Livelihood) program is ready to provide local and overseas employment referrals, livelihood assistance, legal and conciliation services, competency assessment as well as training assistance to the repatriated OFWs.

Cacdac added the OFWs would be given options under the comprehensive assistance program of the Duterte administration. 

“They will be offered livelihood programs to choose from. They can start with small enterprises or enhance their skills and get job opportunity here for good,” he said.

The repatriated OFWs will receive livelihood starter kit worth P10,000 to P20,000 under the “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” program of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs.

Around 11,000 OFWs were displaced when nine companies in Saudi Arabia were adversely affected by the oil crisis.