MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. scored big in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that his government will shoulder the unpaid salaries of around 10,000 overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) who worked for Saudi construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016.
President Marcos was able to secure “best gift” for OFWs this Christmas season during the historic bilateral meeting he had with the Saudi Crown Prince who is also Prime Minister.
“Napakagandang balita talaga. At pinaghandaan talaga tayo ni Crown Prince. Kaya’t sabi niya ‘yung desisyon na ‘yan ay nangyari lamang noong nakaraang ilang araw at dahil nga magkikita kami at sabi niya ito ‘yung regalo ko para sa inyo,” Marcos said of the Saudi Arabia announcement.
According to the President, he and the Crown Prince discussed the OFWs who make their way to Saudi Arabia and other opportunities for investment.
The President said Saudi Arabia’s Labor minister also made an assurance that this will not happen again to Filipino workers going to the kingdom.
According to the chief executive, an insurance system for the workers will also be set up.
“Sila mismo magbibigay ng insurance kung sakali man mangyari ulit ‘yan na malugi ‘yung korporasyon na tinatrabahuhan nila at hindi nila makuha ang kanilang sahod, ‘yung insurance ang magbabayad. So marami rin talagang tinutulong sa atin ang pamahalaan ng Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said the President.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Susan Ople said the construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016 and haven’t paid back Filipino workers include Saudi OGer, MMG, and the Bin Laden group.
“The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness, announced and said that this was his gift – he really prepared for this and this was an agreement reached by the Saudi government just a few days ago,” Ople said, echoing the President’s statement.
“So they have set aside two billion Riyals to help our displaced workers. So this is really good news and we thank po Saudi Arabia,” Ople pointed out. (PND)
