Despite Saudization, Cebuanos continue to seek jobs in KSA

Many Filipinos continue to troop to the office of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Cebu to apply for work in Saudi Arabia, which will soon limit the number of its foreign employees, according to a report on GMA News TV’s “Balita Pilipinas." According to the newscast, which aired Monday, POEA-Cebu admitted that the impending implementation of Nitaqat — a labor policy in Saudi Arabia — will have a significant effect on the Philippine economy.
The labor policy, commonly known as “Saudization," prioritizes employment for Saudis instead of foreign workers in Saudi-owned firms. It will be implemented starting Sept. 10. The “Saudization" program became more urgent in the eyes of the Saudi government in light of the sharp rise in the incidence of joblessness among the youth. Records showed that in 2009, 27 percent of Saudis under 30 were without work. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Labor stood firmer on its Saudization policy when it said last June 30 that it will stop hiring Filipino domestic workers due to the Philippines “strict requirements and supposedly unfair regulatory provisions." At the time, Saudi Arabia said it will stop issuing work visas to domestic helpers starting July 2. Last Monday, the DFA quoted the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh as saying the ban on the issuance of working visas for domestic workers from the Philippines applies only to the new ones. “It does not cover the household service workers with valid work visas who are already in Saudi Arabia or whose iqamas [residence permits] are up for renewal or those going on vacation. They can continue to work with their present employers," the embassy said. This matter was confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Deputy Minister of Labor Hashim Rajeh in a recent informal meeting with Philippine Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano. — Juvylle Almazan/JE, GMA News