By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. scored big in APEC Summit, reported the government of Saudi Arabia will shoulder the unpaid salaries of around 10,000 overseas OFWs who worked for Saudi construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016.
Marcos made the announcement after his bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday, Nov. 18, during the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
“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.
Marcos added that 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,” he added.
Department of Migrant Workers 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.
‘Ready’ to welcome Salman in PH
Marcos said he is looking forward to receiving Salman on a visit to the Philippines to discuss with him a wide range of issues and areas of cooperation.
“That would be very good kung makabisita sa atin si Crown Prince at hindi lamang tungkol sa mga labor, pati na ‘yung mga investments na pwede nating gawin,” Marcos said.
“Napag-usapan namin ang energy, at dahil alam naman natin na ang largest producer ng petroleum sa buong mundo ay Saudi Arabia at tinulungan tayo ng Saudi Arabia nung ‘70s and ‘80s nung nagkaka-oil crisis. Kaya’t baka sakali naman ay tayo maaring makiusap muli na tulungan ulit tayo,” he added.
