Filipino Community in Saudi Arabia Urged to Heed Saudi Ministry of Health Guidance on MERS Coronavirus

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(Riyadh, 15 April 2014) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh urges the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia to take necessary precautions and follow the guidance of the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) with regard to the Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

The Embassy continues to advise Filipino nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain calm and follow existing guidelines given by Saudi MOH (as shown in the infographic below), particularly on regular and thorough washing of hands, frequent use of hand sanitizers, and observing other general hygiene practices. Those who experience any of the disease’s symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention.

If you have specific queries, the MOH Hotline can be reached at 800-249-4444.

On 9 April 2014, Saudi Health Minister Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah stated that “the rate of incidence is still low, and doesn’t represent an epidemic … according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the relevant scientific committees.”

On 12 April 2014, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed one Filipino worker died on April 10 due to MERS-CoV, while five other Filipinos who were infected remain in quarantine as a precaution but are recovering.

The WHO has identified the symptoms of MERS-CoV, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and even diarrhea. Human cases of MERS-CoV have also been reported in other Middle Eastern countries, such as Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. (END)

PhilEmb PR-053-2014 dated 15 April 2014

Posted by ofwempowerment in Announcements, Press Release

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To: My Readers

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I love to hear or read your comments, concerns and inquiries to each of our blog posts and it is my pleasure to give you advice or answer your queries. However, you are kindly requested to make your queries short, precise and direct to the point so that I can find time to read and reply to it at once.

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Please be advised that ofwempowerment blog is part of my community service to all our fellow OFWs who need answers to their worries and woes; may it be personal or work related inquiry. Therefore, my services are more about “volunteerism” to serve you without financial recompense. ***

Also, kindly note that important links in our blog are free of charge and OFWempowerment blog does not collect any monetary compensation for personal gain.

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Be noted that the content of my reply regarding your inquiries does not constitute legal advice; specific assistance and guidance should be sought to proper Philippine Mission overseas and or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) about your employment problem and or other related concerns with regards to your employment abroad.

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Please note that I am an Overseas Filipino Worker like you and therefore, we are obliged to obey our host laws and respect their customs, culture, traditions and religion.

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I am not a lawyer, nor do I have influence in any Government offices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and or Philippine offices (mission) abroad. I am not also a Philippine Government representative from the office of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO/OWWA) or the Philippine Embassy.

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You ask my opinion and my reply are expressed in good faith to the best of my knowledge and based on my own experience as an OFW in the Kingdom for almost two decades and as a (former) Community Leader recognized by our Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) / Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

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I take absolutely no responsibility for the consequences arising out of such opinion or views. That is why I am asking you to seek more exact and accurate guidance, information and advice from the Philippine Government authorized representative or offices abroad overseeing the plight of our fellow OFWs.

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Maraming salamat po sa inyong pang-unawa.

At your service.

BongA

AGAINST RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

For violation of recruitment laws, rules and regulations

•overcharging of placement fee
•pre-mature collection of placement fee
•misrepresentation
•withholding of travel documents
•failure to deploy without valid reason
•failure to reimburse documentation expenses when deployment did not take place without the worker's fault
•substitution and alteration of employment contract

Where to get legal assistance:

Legal Assistance Division POEA head office or any POEA Regional Office AGAINST A FELLOW WORKER

For offenses while working overseas:

•misappropriation of property or money of fellow worker entrusted for delivery
•creating trouble
•theft/robbery
•possession of deadly weapon
•drunkenness
•drug addiction, etc.

Where to get legal assistance:

Legal Assistance Division POEA head office

AGAINST FOREIGN EMPLOYERS

•Defaulting on their contractual obligation to the workers
•Violation of rules and regulations on overseas employment
•Grave misconduct

Where to get legal assistance:

Legal Assistance Division POEA head office
Philippine Embassy or Consulate nearest the jobsite of the worker

AGAINST RECRUITMENT AGENCY AND FOREIGN EMPLOYERS

•Money claims arising from employer-employee-relationship such as unpaid wages, breach of contract and illegal dismissal

Where to get legal assistance:

Migrant Worker's Desk
National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
NLRC Regional Office where the complainant resides

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh informs the public that the Saudi Ministry of Labor call center number is 92-000-1173.

The number provides information in Arabic and English for the following, which can be accessed by pressing first 2 for English and then the number for the service as indicated below:

1) Nitaqat program inquiry
2) Technical support for Ministry of Labor e-Services
3) Labor dispute settlement
4) Wage protection system
5) Complaints related to labor offices
6) Female labor services

Information on domestic labor (HSW) regulations. The number of the call center was provided to the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine delegation that recently concluded the Second Joint Commission Meeting in implementation of the bilateral agreement on domestic workers.

The Embassy urges all Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia to call the number in case of any inquiries on the Saudi labor law, Nitaqat, labor dispute settlement and complaints against employers or recruitment offices.###

Article 18 of the Philippine Labor Code prohibits any foreign employer from directly hiring a Filipino worker for overseas employment in order to curb if not to entirely eradicate the nefarious practice of foreigners exploiting Filipino migrant workers. Exceptions to this general prohibition exist making direct hiring possible, namely,

1) name hires or individuals who were able to acquire foreign employment through their own efforts without the assistance of local employment agencies; and

2) members of diplomatic corps, international organizations and employers who have been previously allowed by the Department of Labor and Employment in the Philippines to conduct direct hiring under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Rules governing overseas employment.

Any interested foreign employer not falling within the exceptions stated may still hire Filipino workers provided they follow the process outlined by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.