Are you an OFW from Saudi Arabia? Do you want to enhance your computer skills? If your answer is yes to the questions, then this event is for you:

An organization of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC), would conduct free computer literacy seminar to OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

The computer literacy seminar will start on September 9 and will run until November 4. The seminar will be held for eight Fridays starting on September 9 and will run until November 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Laparilla Restaurant beside Speed Cash Remittance Center (Samba).

The OFWCC will provide training on Windows 7 operating system, Microsoft Office 7 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access) and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Those who are interested to join the computer training may contact the following officials:

Robert Perez Jr. (Program Director) 056-963-4294;
Atoy Esguerra (Chairman 055-637-3126), or
Wenfred Castolome (Vice Chairman) 058-169-9307.

The Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced on their official website that their office will be closed on August 29 up to September 3
to celebrate the Eid’l Fitr holidays fr

The regular working hours of the Embassy will resume on Sunday, September 4.

“The Embassy will be closed from Monday, August 29 to Saturday, September 3, in observance of the Eid El-Fitr holidays. Regular working hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, will resume on Sunday, 04 September 2011,” it said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released an advisory to remind overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia that even if the Saudization labor policy that prioritizes the hiring of Saudi nationals over migrant workers is expected to take effect soon, they are still entitled to their rights as an employee. This means that they cannot be terminated without any valid cause.

In connection with this, the DFA advised OFWs in Saudi Arabia who were unjustly fired to contact the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. the DFA advised OFWs in Saudi Arabia who were unjustly fired to contact the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. They can also ask help through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) that is nearest their area.

The DFA said, “Located in Riyadh, Jeddah, and al-Khobar, POLO offices will assist affected OFWs.”

How to Report Unjust Terminations in Saudi Arabia.

The head of Filipino Migrant Workers Group, Francisco Aguilar Jr. said that OFWs in Saudi Arabia should check the category of their company so they can prepare early if ever they need to return to the Philippines.

Aguilar who used to be a contract worker in Saudi Arabia said, “We advise them to determine if their company is in the yellow and red categories. If so, they can scout for other companies, which are in the green and platinum [blue] categories.”

He added, “It will bring no harm to them for it is clear in the Nitaqat system that those in the green and blue [categories] can get workers from the yellow and red category, even without the [no objection certificate].”

Other Options for OFWs to Be Affected by Saudization

The Philippine government is prepared to give assistance to OFWs in Saudi Arabioa that may be displaced. According to Nicon Fameronag, Department of Labor and Employment communications director, the government is ready to provide reintegration assistance to returning OFWs.

Read more info about Saudization.

Hayya International Services Corporation posted a job advertisement for Filipino workers who want to work for the largest gasoline station in Saudi Arabia.

Available Job Openings

Lubemen/Oil Changer (150 vacancies)

Male Supervisors (10 vacancies)

Cashiers (50 vacancies)

Stockers and Merchandisers (10 vacancies)

Note: Click the job opening above to view the qualifications for each position and to  submit an online application. You can also view the contact details of the POEA-licensed agency.