Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources to Visit Philippines to Enhance Worker Protection

The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) of Saudi Arabia, Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, will visit the Philippines for bilateral talks, focusing on potential amendments to the labor agreement between the two countries. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that the proposed amendments aim to enhance the protection of domestic workers by incorporating additional initiatives.

DMW Secretary Susan Ople added that both sides intend to revise the bilateral labor agreement to address the enhanced protection measures. Representatives from the Saudi government are scheduled to arrive in Manila next month to discuss and finalize the details of the minister’s visit.

Aside from labor agreement amendments, the agenda of the DMW includes unpaid claims and proposed projects such as a special hiring program for skilled Filipino workers and the digitalization process of the agency. Furthermore, Ople highlighted that the Saudi government offers a free health program for foreign domestic workers, including Filipinos, reflecting their progressive approach. Ople expressed optimism about the visit, expecting that the minister’s presence would provide more clarity on the details of the claims and facilitate productive discussions

Proposed Amendments to the Labor Agreement

The visit of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to the Philippines aims to discuss potential amendments to the bilateral labor agreement. The focus will be on enhancing the protection of domestic workers by incorporating additional initiatives. The discussions will revolve around measures that can further safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing Unpaid Claims and Introducing New Initiatives

In addition to the labor agreement amendments, the agenda of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers includes resolving unpaid claims and proposing new projects. These projects include a special hiring program for skilled Filipino workers and the digitalization process of the agency