The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced yesterday that a significant portion of the claims of displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia is expected to be settled by the end of this year.
Speaking at the Post-SONA Discussions in Pasay City, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac shared, “I talked to my counterpart, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development there, and we have been assured once again that the releases will be forthcoming.”
“Our target by the end of the year is that substantially, most of the 10,000 beneficiaries will have received their benefits and claims,” he added.
To date, the DMW reported that around 2,500 OFWs have already received their backpay and benefit claims. Payments for the next batch of approximately 1,800 OFWs are expected in the “next few weeks,” while claims for around 2,200 OFWs will be settled in the “coming months.”
Cacdac’s optimism follows his recent meeting with Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi in Riyadh on July 15.
Over 10,000 OFWs in Saudi Arabia lost their jobs between 2015 and 2016 when their companies declared bankruptcy. In November 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman pledged to cover the financial settlement of the OFW claims by allocating SAR 2 billion.