The government of Saudi Arabia granted the request for the extension of the amnesty period by moving the July 3 deadline to November giving undocumented Filipinos in Saudi more time to correct their status without the risk of fines or penalties. Apparently affected Filipinos can also use the time to search and apply for jobs as many companies are willing to hire Filipinos without legal papers yet.

According to Labor Secretary, Rosalinda Baldoz, Filipinos in Saudi are encouraged to search for available job opportunities there so they can legalize their stay. Unemployed Filipinos would have to go back to the Philippines after correcting their status.

Baldoz said that private companies in Saudi, specifically in Jeddah expressed interest in joining the job fair that is organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Jeddah.

The Secretary said that it is like hitting two birds with one stone because the OFWs can get a job and get documented because the employer would sponsor their working visa.

The labor attaché in Jeddah Alejandro Padaen said that at first, only four companies are set to take part in the job fair that is held on the premises of the Philippine embassy. The number of participating companies increased when news about the job fair spreads. The job fair aims to help the estimated 300 undocumented Filipinos in Saudi to find jobs and sponsors. Some of companies are world-class hotel groups.

Meanhile, Baldoz warned undocumented Filipino workers against dealing with foreign recruiters and suspicious recruitment agencies.

She said, “They can always check the credentials of recruiters on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s website. The site can tell overseas job applicants whether or not the recruitment agency they are dealing with is licensed and if the overseas job they are applying for really exists.”