By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced that the Saudi government has granted a six-month grace period for undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly runaway domestic workers, to regularize their status.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, DMW Undersecretary for Middle East and African Affairs Jainal Rasul Jr. said the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced the correction period for illegal domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
“Ito yung mga runaway workers, those declared as absent or ‘huroob’. So binibigyan sila ngayon ng another six months ng Saudi government to regularize their stay. Ibig sabihin maghanap sila ng panibagong amo na pwede silang bigyan ng ‘iqama’ (these are the runaway workers, those declared as absent or ‘huroob’. So they are now being given another six months by the Saudi government to regularize their stay. This means they will have to find a new employer who can give them an ‘iqama’),” he said.
“Huroob” refers to workers who stay away from work without permission or those who refuse to work, or run away from their sponsor.
In Saudi Arabia, a worker reported as “huroob” becomes illegal and loses his legal rights, salary dues, and service benefits, among others.
“Ito yung magandang development kasi para maiwasan yung mga patago tago lang na mga kababayan natin sa (This is a good development to help our countrymen from being undocumented, and working in secret in) Saudi Arabia. This grace period will last for six months, meaning, effective May 11 up to November 10,” Rasul said.
Rasul led a Philippine labor mission to Saudi Arabia from May 1 to 10 for consultations with officials of the MHRSD and Philippine government posts across Riyadh, Buraidah, Al-Khobar, and Jeddah.
He said this initiative by the Saudi government would give undocumented Filipino workers a legal pathway to correct their status and avoid hiding.
During the six-month grace period, workers can secure a new sponsor without paying immigration fines, which typically range from SAR600, or approximately PHP9,000, or more, depending on the length of overstay.
Contrary to previous years, Rasul said they have observed a significant drop in the number of “runaways” seeking assistance this 2025.
He said that in Riyadh, there are only around 100 female and 45 male runaways.
The number is a bit higher in Jeddah, but adding that most are already being processed for repatriation.
In Al-Khobar, he said that there are only about 50 cases, with the majority already having exit visas.
Meanwhile, Rasul warned undocumented Filipinos, especially those working in sectors like salons and beauty shops, to remain cautious amid increased immigration patrols, particularly in Jeddah.
He said that authorities have reportedly stepped up inspections targeting the LGBTQ+ or the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more.
The DMW reiterates its calls for respect of local customs and laws. (PNA)
