The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has encouraged Filipino runaway domestic workers in Saudi Arabia to take advantage of a six-month grace period granted by the Saudi government, which allows them to correct their legal status from May 11 to November 10, 2025.
The initiative follows a recent visit by a DMW team led by Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul Jr. to Saudi Arabia, as directed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Undersecretary Rasul explained that the grace period is specifically for runaway workers, known locally as “huroob” or those declared absent. “Ito yun mga runaway workers natin or those declared as absent or ‘huroob’ so binibigyan sila ng another 6 months ng Saudi government to regularize their stay. Ibig sabihin hahanap sila ng panibagong amo na mabigyan sila ng iqama,” Rasul stated.
The grace period will allow these workers to correct their legal status through automated procedures on Musaned, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s official platform for household services and home employment.
Currently, over a hundred Filipino runaway domestic workers are in Riyadh and Jeddah, while 54 are in Al Khobar. These workers have already secured exit visas and are awaiting flight tickets from their agencies and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for repatriation.
“Our operations in Saudi Arabia are well managed. The lawyers, our Saudi legal retainers, are effectively handling the cases endorsed to them, ensuring support for our kababayans in prison or detention,” Rasul emphasized.
The DMW continues to work closely with Saudi authorities to ensure the welfare of OFWs and provide them with the necessary assistance.
