The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has suspended its contracts with four Saudi companies after these companies "displaced" more than 11,000 Filipino workers, Manila Bulletin reported on Friday. The newspaper quoted POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac as saying that other companies were also being probed for possible violation of POEA regulations for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The four suspended firms are among the nine financially troubled Saudi companies which have been reported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to have "displaced" at least 11,000 OFWs. "We are investigating the other employers on that list and will take appropriate action, which includes suspension of deployment, if it is warranted," Cacdac was quoted as saying. Cacdac issued the clarification after migrant advocate group, United Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (U-OFW), claimed they received reports that some of the nine companies were still able to recruit Filipino workers despite their financial woes. U-OFW convener John Monterona said vacationing workers of the beleaguered Saudi firms should also be warned since they are also at risk of being displaced. "Even those OFWs working for the nine companies who are on leave and still vacationing in the Philippines should be properly advised," Monterona said. Meanwhile, Philippine officials in Jeddah have started the process of giving financial assistance to Filipino workers rendered jobless, according to GMA News. It quoted Welfare Officer Angel Cruz as saying that officials have been meeting the affected workers in batches to explain to them the process of releasing the P26,000 promised to them by the government. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has also reportedly announced a grant of P500 million ($10.6 million) for the affected workers.
