The undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Danilo Cruz said that the governments of Saudi Arabia and the Philippines are set to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Cruz said that upon the signing of the new MOU, Saudi Arabia would again hire Filipino household service workers (HSWs).

He said, “We will immediately sign an MOU and agree on a model employment contract that will be implemented in Saudi Arabia.”

Last March, Saudi Arabia decided to suspend the processing, verification and authentication of deployment contracts of HSWs from the Philippines. The main reason for the suspension is the USD400/month minimum salary for HSWs set by the Philippine government.

Cruz said, “From all indications, Saudi Arabia will allow now the verification of the employment contract of household workers which will automatically lift the restriction na inimpose nila and we can soon deploy HSWs there.”

Meanwhile Labor Secretary, Rosalida Baldoz gave an assurance that the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be protected in the new contract.  

Baldoz said, “We saw to it that the provisions or the rights and principles in the convention are also reflected on the standard employment contract.”