The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced a six-month grace period for undocumented domestic workers, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Wednesday.

According to DMW Undersecretary for Middle East and African Affairs Jainal T. Rasul Jr., the grace period will run from 11 May to 10 November and will allow undocumented domestic Filipino workers to either regularize their status or find a new sponsor who can issue them an iqama or work permit.

He added that those who take advantage of the campaign will be exempt from immigration penalties.

“The usual transfer fee is around 600 [Saudi Riyals], plus penalties that can go up to 50 percent of that amount, depending on how long they’ve been reported as huroob (absent from work),” Rasul explained.

The DMW undersecretary noted that the number of runaway overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking help from the Philippine Embassy and consulates often increases after Ramadan. To date, there are around 200 runaway OFWs in Riyadh alone. Of this number, 105 are female, with the majority having already acquired their exit visas, while 45 are male.

“In Jeddah, it’s higher, although most of them are already being processed for repatriation. In Al Khobar, the cases are fewer, around 50 women, more or less,” he added.

In Saudi Arabia, illegal foreign workers who work without a sponsor, abscond, or overstay are subject to arrest, fines, and deportation.

Rasul also advised members of the Filipino LGBT community working in Saudi Arabia, especially in Jeddah, to exercise caution amid tight police inspections in beauty shops and parlors targeting members of the community.

“Then in Al Khobar, there have been instances involving cross-dressers. That’s why we’ve advised the Filipino community to be more mindful and respectful of the culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”