February 16, 2010 – Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said yesterday that the labor dispute between some 200 overseas Filipino workers and their employer, Al – Arrab Contracting Co., has been settled, four days after workers sought the help of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh.
In her report to Labor Secretary Marianito D. Roque, Administrator Dimzon said that the Filipino workers expressed their appreciation to the top management for an early consensus reached to amicably settle issues and install measures for a first-rate employer-employee relationship.
Under the consensus, management responded to issues covering salary, work permits, overtime pay, bonuses, salary rates, maltreatment and discrimination and safety issues, she reported.
OWWA Welfare Officer Cesar L. Chavez, Jr., is closely coordinating with the workers and the management in the observance and implementation of the consensus arrived at last February 8.
The labor dispute was first brought to the attention of welfare officer Chavez on Feb. 5 by engineer Victor Blay.
The management promised to comply with its contractual obligations to the workers in a meeting with the workers and Labor Attache Rustico Dela Fuente on February 13.
The handling of the labor dispute was closely monitored and guided by Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office expressed concern, however, that Migrante, a non-government organization, put the Filipino workers at risk by reporting that they had gone on strike.
“All disputes were settled through mediation and conciliation because of an open communication line and good relationship with the OFWs and the management established by POLO through the welfare officer” said the POLO.
“Our workers were placed in a very delicate and detrimental position,” the POLO said, “because strikes are illegal under Saudi Arabia laws and workers could be summarily terminated, fined or imprisoned.”
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