Embassy

of the Republic of the Philippines

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 94366 Riyadh 11693 Fax No. (+9661) 488.3945 Email : filembry@sbm.net.sa Website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org Facebook Page www.facebook.com/philembassyriyadh

Press Release -049-2013 2 April 2013

ADVISORY TO FILIPINOS WORKING WITH DIFFERENT SPONSORS, WORKING IN JOBS OTHER THAN WHAT IS INDICATED IN THEIR WORK PERMITS, AND THOSE WITHOUT WORK PERMIT
The Philippine Embasssy in Riyadh has received queries concerning the recent concerted efforts undertaken by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against expatriate workers working with employers other than those named in their iqama, working in jobs other than what is indicated in their work permits, and those without work permit. The authorities have inspected hospitals, schools, universities, companies, accomodations and other intallations to strictly implement recent amendments to the Saudi Labor Law which punish both the erring sponsor and the illegal worker. According to reports, the campaign has resulted in arrests of some violators. The Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulage General in Jeddah has sent officials to the deportation centers and will do so on a daily basis to verify any instances of violations and imprisonment due to these cases.

According to news reports, the Council of Ministers approved the following amendments to the Saudi Labor Law: Article 39 of the Saudi Labor Law, which now states (based on an unofficial translation from Arabic by local English media):

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 94366 Riyadh 11693 Fax No. (+9661) 488.3945 Email : filembry@sbm.net.sa Website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org Facebook Page www.facebook.com/philembassyriyadh

It is not allowed for an employer to let his (foreign) worker go out and work for

others. It is also not allowed for a worker to engage in work for another employer. The employer is not allowed to employ workers who are under the sponsorship of others. The Ministry of Labor shall inspect the firms and investigate the violations discovered by its inspectors, and then forward them to the Ministry of Interior to take penal actions against them.

The employer is not allowed to let his worker engage in work for his own benefit. The

worker would also not be permitted to work on his own account. The Ministry of Interior shall arrest, deport and take punitive measures against these violators who are working for their own benefit in the streets and public squares as well as against those who run away (from their sponsors).

The Council also decided to repeal Article 233 of the same law, which had previously set the fine for violations of the original Article 39. The changes to the Labor Law now mandate an inter-agency team led by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) to carry out inspections to catch violators and refer them to the MOI to take strict penal action against the violators. Penal action will also be taken against employers of these workers, as well as those who allow them to work under their names in cover-up business, including accomplices to the crime (such as those who provide transportation for workers).

In order to avoid any issues with the authorities, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh advises Filipino workers in the Kingdom to obey and observe the regulations for work and residency permit of the host government. As early as 2010, the directives of the Ministry of Interior on Iqama rules and violations have been posted on the websites of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh (www.philembassy-riyadh.org) and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (www.pcgjeddah.org).

Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 94366 Riyadh 11693 Fax No. (+9661) 488.3945 Email : filembry@sbm.net.sa Website: www.philembassy-riyadh.org Facebook Page www.facebook.com/philembassyriyadh

Violators may run the risk of imprisonment, fines and subsequent deportation and barring from entering the Kingdom in the future. The Embassy advises Filipino workers with expired iqamas to remind their respective employers to renew their work and residency permit. For information, Filipinos may call the following: In Jeddah and regions under the jurisdication of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (Regions of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Tabuk, Al- MMadinah, Abha, Jizan, and Najran:

0555-219-613 0561-956-142
In the regions of Riyadh, Hail, Qassim, Northern Border, Al-Jouf:

054-591-7834
In the Eastern Region:

050-126-9742