Special Saudi caregiver visa pushed

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is pushing for the recognition of a separate visa category for Filipino caregivers in Saudi Arabia, citing the high demand for their services and the need for a proper wage classification.

DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne Caunan said that the absence of a distinct visa category for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia affects their salary and employment terms.

Most Filipinos initially deployed as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia end up providing care for sick adults or children, which requires a different training.

“We are telling [Saudi authorities] that perhaps they can establish a visa category for caregivers. The Philippines is at a disadvantage because they are being grouped with domestic workers, but they are not domestic workers,” Caunan said.

Currently, the agency is in discussions with Saudi Arabia to improve employment terms for domestic workers, including raising their minimum salary, which since 2006 has started at US$400 (approximately P20,000).

Aside from Saudi Arabia, the demand for Filipino caregivers is also growing in parts of Europe, specifically Croatia and Slovenia.