Saudi-Philippine labor pact soon

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago met Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih here on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed the state of bilateral labor relations.
Tago conveyed his government’s appreciation of the excellent support and hospitality extended to all Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia across all categories. Fakeih said Filipinos are among the most peaceful and least problematic communities in the Kingdom.
The two officials expressed satisfaction with the recent talks in Riyadh leading to consensus on the final text of the bilateral agreement on domestic workers' recruitment, which sets the rights and obligations of the employee and employers as well as the recruitment agencies from both countries. The agreement will be the first signed by the Kingdom. The agreement is set for signing in the very near future as the Philippine Secretary of Labor and Employment is scheduled to visit Riyadh to sign the agreement.
Tago said many Filipinos have made Saudi Arabia their second home and have been working in the Kingdom for years. He noted the a relatively small number of labor cases are handled by the embassy and its labor section when compared to the total number of workers in the Kingdom.
The ambassador sought the assistance of the Saudi labor minister for two labor cases — one in Al-Jouf and the other in Riyadh.
The first case in Al-Jouf involves 19 Filipinos who had won their case which they filed with the Saudi Labor Office but the employer is now appealing the case with the appeal commission in Riyadh.