RIYADH — The Philippine ambassador and Saudi Interior Ministry have pledged to work together to help correct the status of illegal Filipino workers in the Kingdom. Ambassador Ezzedin Tago met with Deputy Minister of Interior Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Salemat in the capital on Wednesday to discuss various important issues concerning the Filipino community in the Kingdom. Tago was joined by Consul General Marshall Louis Alferez and Labor Attaché Adam Musa. Tago conveyed to Al-Salemat the gratitude of his government and community to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the grace period announced on April 6 allowing illegal expatriate workers to correct their status in the Kingdom by July 3. Ambassador Tago also praised the guidelines issued jointly by labor and interior ministries that provided various facilities and waivers of penalties to allow expatriates to correct their status. During the meeting, the Philippine ambassador explained how Filipino diplomatic and consular missions have been extending assistance to members of the community who have expressed interest in correcting their status, either by leaving on final exit or by transferring sponsorship to a new employer. Tago said affected Filipinos are keen to correct their status and were hoping that they will be able to accomplish this within the grace period despite various challenges such as the large number of applicants at immigration offices, some Filipinos not having the required documents and the procedures for issuing exit visas. Al-Salemat and Tago agreed to continue working closely to ensure that Filipinos will be able to take advantage of the grace period.
