MANILA, (PNA) — Malacanang said the Philippine government has been providing shelters to Filipinos undergoing repatriation process as the Saudi Arabia government’s November 3 deadline against illegal workers expires.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the real issue is continuous repatriation of Filipinos from Saudi Arabia affected by its “Saudization” policy.
“Meron na tayong mga pino-provide na shelter for them. Kapag dumating kasi ang deadline at hindi talaga maproseso ang kanilang papers, they will have to stay in a particular place until they are repatriated to the country,” Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
“Patuloy pa rin ang pakikipag-usap ng ating mga kasamahan doon kung papaano magagawan pa ng paraan ang kanilang sitwasyon.”
According to Valte, it could be recalled that Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario made an appeal to overstaying Filipinos to avail of the assistance that is being given by the Philippine embassy to avoid queuing in the streets, which is prohibited by the Saudi Arabian government.
‘Saudization’ is a national policy of Saudi Arabia encouraging employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector, which was largely dominated by expatriate workers from Asia, Europe and US.
The Saudi government has enacted policies to promote ‘Saudization,’ including warnings to companies that will fail to comply with ‘Saudization’ regulations will not get government contracts.