Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz appealed yesterday to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly those who are experiencing difficulties because of the implementation of Saudi Labor Law amendments, to take advantage of the Saudi government's offer of a three-month grace period and correct their status as foreigners in the Kingdom.

Citing a media statement of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Baldoz said the three-month grace period, which shall end on July 6, is a window of opportunity for OFWs who have violated either the Saudization policy, or Nitaqat, or immigration law, to correct their status and be spared from jail time, fine, or deportation.

"The Philippine Embassy has issued a very useful question and answer (Q&A) brochure which outlines clearly the steps that these OFWs have to take in view of the implementation of the new amendments to Saudi Labor Law," the labor chief said.

"I urge all affected OFWs in Saudi to read carefully the Q&A. This has been posted in the DoLE Web site," she added.

She warned that violators of Saudi Labor Law or of Saudi immigration law face the prospect of arrest, jail time, fines and deportation.

In the case of an OFW with a dependent's visa, the penalty is deportation of himself, the head of the family, as well as penalty for his employer.

"That's why I urge our OFWs who are under any of the above-mentioned situation to take advantage of the three-month grace period and locate and ask their sponsors to correct their status," Baldoz appealed.

Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/13281-dole-urges-ofws-to-take-advantage-of-saudi%E2%80%99s-offer-to-correct-illegal-stay