The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to hire Filipino workers under a new job classification, “residential support worker,” which does not require them to live with their employers.

According to DMW Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Felicitas Bay, this job is outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 5. Unlike domestic workers, residential support workers will focus solely on household cleaning and related tasks.

“They will not be tasked with taking care of children or their employers,” Bay clarified.

The job description in the memorandum specifies responsibilities such as cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Residential support workers will be employed under skilled visas, offering them more protection compared to domestic worker classifications.

DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan explained that the deployment process for residential support workers differs significantly from that of domestic workers.

Domestic workers are typically hired through a Philippine recruitment agency that collaborates with a Saudi counterpart, with deployment tied directly to a specific employer.

In contrast, residential support workers will be employed by a company, often referred to as a “mega recruitment agency.” This setup is expected to streamline the resolution of labor complaints, welfare cases, and exit visa issues.

Residential support workers will receive a monthly salary of SAR 1,500 (approximately P23,000), along with a food allowance of SAR 500 (around P7,600).

Under the contract, workers are entitled to at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week, 21 days of paid annual leave, and a return ticket to the Philippines every two years, in line with Saudi labor laws.

The contract also mandates that employers cover return transportation in cases such as contract completion, unjust termination, force majeure, or if the worker becomes unable to work due to illness or injury.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac stressed that this development diversifies overseas job opportunities for Filipinos while ensuring enhanced protection, particularly for female workers.

To recall, two Filipina workers in Saudi Arabia tragically passed away. Jelyn Arguzon, deployed on 16 June, was reported unreachable by the end of the same month, while Roilyn Sayson was confirmed dead on 16 July.