The 1,470 Filipino workers displaced by the lockout of Azmeel Contracting Corp. in Saudi Arabia will get P20,000 cash assistance and job opportunities, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Wednesday.
The first batch of more than 100 affected Filipino workers who were repatriated arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport recently will receive the cash assistance and jobs at the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Department of Transportation, Bello said in a statement.
He said most of them were construction workers hired by the Azmeel firm, and are qualified to land jobs in the two department projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.
“When I asked the displaced OFWs, almost 100 percent wanted to be repatriated to the Philippines. We understand that they are lonely and they miss their families. Since the holiday season is almost here, we want to bring back the OFWs to their loved ones,” Bello said.
To facilitate their reintegration, he said the workers would be assisted in finding alternative employment or to engage in their chosen livelihood undertaking.
He said the next batches of Filipino workers to be repatriated from KSA were expected to arrive in November until December.
“We will shoulder the travel expenses of Filipino workers who volunteered to be repatriated. The Azmeel pledged to pay us,” Bello said.
Prior to the lockout, the foreign workers, including Filipinos, were not paid their salaries for between three and six months, which prompted the workers to stage a protest.
No Filipino workers joined the protest.
“I am hoping that those who will be repatriated will be able to join their families this coming holiday season. OWWA, the Bureau of Local Employment and the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns will provide livelihood assistance for them upon their return,” Bello added.