Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – Filipino workers who ran away from their employers and whose employers surrendered their passports to the Jawazat may check with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah if their passports have been turned over to these two offices, said a press release issued on Sunday. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has over 27,000 passports in its possession surrendered over the years by Saudi authorities, while the Philippine consulate in Jeddah has about 12,000 passports. About 20 percent of the passports being sought by Filipino workers are found to be in the embassy's possession. Those whose passports are with the embassy or the consulate may apply for an extension of the validity of the passport for one year by paying SR80. Filipinos can check through the embassy website (www.philembassy-riyadh.org) by entering the last and first name whether their passports are in the possession of the missions. Filipinos can also check this through mobile phones by sending a text “Surrendered Passport” and last name and first name to mobile number 056-989-3301. They can also call telephone number 011-482-3816 or 011-480-1918 or personally visit the embassy or the consulate. Passports can be claimed without paying any fees. The missions, however, will not allow representatives to claim other people's passports, said the press statement. Those residing in Jeddah or under the jurisdiction of the consulate in Jeddah, may send a text message with their full name to 0555-219-614 or drop their name at the consulate gate for verification. The embassy has also posted on its website (www.philembassy-riyadh.org) the guidelines issued on Friday by the ministries of interior and labor, detailing the exemptions and facilities for workers to be availed of during the three-month grace period. Workers can also call the Labor Ministry customer service at 920001173. For further advice, workers in the regions of Riyadh, Hail, Qassim, Northern Border, Al-Jouf can call 054-591-7834, in the Eastern Province 050-126-9742, in Jeddah and regions under the jurisdiction of the consulate in Jeddah 0555-219-613 and 0561-956-14 There is no need to coordinate with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office for the transfer to a new employer or verify the new employment contract prior to the transfer. It is the responsibilty of the new employer to transfer the services through the concerned Saudi authority as soon as possible. Filipinos who need to look for a prospective employment may check the Ministry of Labor website www.redyellow.com.sa with companies that are in the green or excellent category. Philippines Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago was quoted in a section of the press as saying that his country's embassy has received several offers from Saudi companies wishing to hire Filipino workers. He said that there are 655,000 Filipino workers in the Kingdom. Of these, 9,000 are illegal workers, who have cases against them. They are now striving to rectify their status.
