The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued another apology to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have yet to receive their unpaid salaries from companies that closed in Saudi Arabia.
In a report by JP Soriano on GMA News Unang Balita this Friday, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac expressed his apologies to those still waiting for their backwages.
“Patuloy lang ang ating follow-up, we just have to be a little patience. Kasi from the Saudi side this is an inter-agency effort,” he explained.
Cacdac recently visited Saudi Arabia and had discussions with Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
According to a statement from the DMW, checks amounting to 130 million Saudi Riyals, equivalent to P1.95 billion, are ready for distribution to around 2,500 workers.
So far, 1,375 workers have received payments totaling 70.6 million Saudi Riyals or P1.098 billion.
The DMW is coordinating with the Saudi MHRSD to facilitate the release of funds for the OFWs.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised the issue of unpaid wages with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November 2022.
The payment process began last year but encountered issues with Philippine banks due to the Saudi Arabian origin and currency of the checks.