Number of Expatriates in Saudi

Saudi Arabia is a home for almost eight nationals with 85.6 percent of the total number of expatriates which is roughly 9 million people in 2013 according to the latest research study and of course the Filipinos are among of them.

In a report from an American website - Bio, south Asian nationals account the largest population in the kingdom namely, the Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis as compared to other nationalities of the world. Among the Arab nationals, Egyptians has the largest population then followed by the Yemenis and Sudanese. How about the Filipinos? The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are next to Egyptians which is in 5^th place for the most number of expatriates in the kingdom. To make it clearer and more visual here’s a chart showing the population of Expats in the KSA:

An estimated of 10 million expatriates are living in the kingdom, wherein 85.6 percent of expatriates comprised the eight (8) nations from India (largest population with 19.4%), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Yemen, Indonesia, and Sudan. Fifteen (15) percent belongs to other different countries such as Lebanon, UK, USA, and so on.

Let me convert the population percentage into numbers:

India = 19.4% = 1.76 million

Pakistan =14.5% = 1.32 million

Bangladesh = 14.4% = 1.31 million

Egypt = 14.3% = 1.30 million

Philippines = 11.3% = 1.03 million

Yemen = 5.07% = 460,000

Indonesia = 4.19% = 380,000

Sudan = 2.5% = 230,000

Others = 15% 

          Sri Lanka = 150,000

          Jordan = 170,000

Syria = 140,000

          Kuwait = 130,000

Palestine = 120,000

Turkey = 100,000

Lebanon = 60,000

Britain = 30,000

South Sudan 30,000

Afghanistan = 20,000

          Nepal = 20,000

          Thailand = 20,000

          Ethiopia = 30,000

          Eritrea = 40,000

          United States = 40,000

Morocco = 20,000

          Nigeria = 10,000

`        Chad = 10,000

          Tunisia = 10,000

          Others = 10,000

According to the website – worldpopulation.com, the latest estimate of the population of the country is to be around 20,654,212 citizens, with 9 million expatriates or foreigners.

82nd Saudi Arabia National Day

Today marks the 82^nd commemoration of the Saudi Arabia National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watany). This is the day when late King Abdul Aziz bin Saud via royal decree on September 23, 1932, declared the unification of four (4) regions namely Hejaz, Najd, Al Hasa (Eastern part) and Asir (Southern part)  and be called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is said that the kingdom’s national day was not celebrated as holiday before by their countrymen until King Abdullah declared it a day for celebration and recognition in 2005. Biggest events and activities are centered and usually held in its largest capital city, Riyadh, and some other main cities of the kingdom. The celebration is not as the same as what we observed or we experienced to some other western or democratic countries because it is still in accordance to the rules and regulations of Islamic religion. However, the holiday could still be enjoyed by anyone as specific shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and malls offer significant discounts to its customers. Though there are no musical concerts or public entertainments in the streets, a firework display is held at night.

However, in my present workplace which is in the northern border of the kingdom, the holiday is least felt and celebrated. Saudi people of this area treated the day just like as an ordinary day. I saw some locals along the streets driving their cars with their green flag on it, some are waving it, and some don’t care at all. There were no such big events here just like what happens to large cities maybe because the people here are not yet used in celebrating their founding anniversary. I guess the people here are much more excited in observing Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Anyways, though my day for the kingdom’s founding anniversary is so different to what I experienced in the Philippines, still I’m so very thankful from the kingdom for giving me, as an expat worker, a safe and secure place to work and live in. In behalf of my fellow Filipinos, I gratefully congratulates them on the occasion of the kingdom’s 82^nd founding anniversary. Happy National Day KSA!

Recruitment Agencies in Philippines with Cancelled Permit to Operate (as of August 2014)

Just a reminder for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) out there, just recently, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has summoned 50 local recruitment agencies for allegedly failing to repatriate distressed OFWs especially those based in middle east countries.

On his Facebook account, POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac stated that these recruiters have displayed poor judgment in terms of complying with their promise to repatriate distressed OFWs.

He said the 50 recruitment agencies are those with the “most number of repatriation cases with documentary suspension before the POEA.”

“We shall docket cases against all 50 recruitment agencies for failure to properly repatriate their OFWs, with orders of preventive suspension imposed upon those in the top ten. ” he said.

The names of the agencies are as follows (in alphabetical order):

1. ABC Manpower Agency Inc.;
2. A.B.U. Talent Management Inc.;
3. Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services;
4. Aisis International Manpower Inc.;
5. Al-Ahram International Group Services Inc.;
6. Al Awa El International Manpower Inc.;
7. Al-Habib International Services Corp.
8. Al-Masiya Overseas Placement Agency Inc.;
9. Al Rafedain Manpower International Corporation;
10. Al Taka Manpower Services Inc.;
11. AP International Staffbuilders Inc.;
12. Asap Placement International Corp.;
13. ASEAN Management and Technical Services Inc.;
14. Asmara International Placement Agency Inc.;
15. Awas Manpower Services Inc.;
16. Crystal Falah-ville International Manpower Services Corp.;
17. Dalandan International Manpower Inc.;
18. Dobim International Manpower Services;
19. Elbeitam Management Services Inc.;
20. First Step Manpower International Services Inc.;
21. Futuristic International Artist (FIA) Promotion Corp.;
22. Goldmine International Recruitment Agency;
23. Helal Manpower Agency;
24. Hikari Management International Inc.;
25. House of Skilled Workers International Manpower Services;
26. Jardy International Promotion Agency;
27. Kimobo International Personnel Services Inc.;
28. Kougen International Promotion;
29. Jawal Human Resource Internationale.
30. Meccaj Manpower International Services;
31. Mi Amore International Services Inc.;
32. Miss Talent Management Services Inc.;
33. MMS Asia Group Resource Corporation;
34. Muraken International Manpower Services;
35. Nawras Manpower Services Inc.;
36. Nouveau Riche International Recruitment Services;
37. Osims Oriental Skills International Manpower Services Inc.; 
38. Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation;
39. Philtrade International Manpower Services
40. Realworld Corp.;
41. Ridzkey Human Resources International Services;
42. Rochart Global Resource Center;
43. Samarec Service Master Placement Agency Co.;
44. Samba Master Recruitment Service;
45. Saranay Philippines Inc.;
46. The Lamplight International Manpower Services Inc.;
47. Wanda Resources and Manpower Corp.;
48. Wavex Management Services Inc.;
49. Shite Wing’s Manpower Exponent; and 
50. World Production International Manpower Corp.

Furthermore, among from the list, 6 agencies had their licenses cancelled for failure to repatriate these troubled OFWs and other offenses, namely Aisis International Manpower Inc., ASEAN Management and Technical Services Inc., Dalandan International Manpower Inc., Philtrade International Manpower Services, Realworld Corp., and the World Production International Manpower Corp.

On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has already cancelled the permit of 63 recruitment agencies in its continuing drive to get rid of the unscrupulous licensed agencies from its list. These are:

1. ABC MANILA INTERNATIONAL INC.
2. AISIS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER INC.
3. AL-ABEER MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
4. AL MUSTAQBAL INTERNATIONAL INC.
5. AL TAKA MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
6. ALL-PRO STAFFING & CONSULTING SERVICES
7. ALL SKILLS MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
8. ALTIMA MANPOWER AGENCY INC.
9. ASAHI INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER CORPORATION
10. ASEAN MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INC.
11. BIG DIPPER MARITIME SERVICES CORPORATION
12. BOOM INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY
13. BRIGHT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
14. C.A.A. MANPOWER AGENCY
15. CROSSWIND INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICE
16. DIAMOND ROSE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES CORPORATION
17. EFFICIENT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
18. FMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AND ALLIED SERVICES INC.
19. FUTURISTIC INTERNATIONAL ARTIST (FIA) PROMOTION CORPORATION
20. GEMS 22 MANPOWER COMPANY
21. GLOBAL JOBSEARCH SERVICES INC.
22. GREENBACK INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER
23. GOLDEN LIME INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES
24. GOLDEN MILES PLACEMENT PROMOTION AND MANNING AGENCY COMPANY
25. HANJAN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT INC.
26. HELAL MANPOWER AGENCY
27. HERBERT’S INTERNATIONAL INC.
28. JARDY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION AGENCY
29. JEMSTONE GLOBAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY COMPANY INC.
30. JMP POLARIS NAVIGATION INC. AND INVESTORS ASSURANCES CORPORATION
31. KONNEXION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
32. LIFELINE INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES INC.
33. MAJNAL RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT INC
34. MARHABA INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMPANY
35. MBC HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
36. MCLAINE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY GROUP INC.
37. MEDRP INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE INC.
38. MHHR MANPOWER RECRUITMENT & PLACEMENT AGENCY CORPORATION
39. MORLAND OVERSEAS MANPOWER
40. MSS TALENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC.
41. NANHAYA INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT INC.
42. N.A.R. TRAINING CENTER & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
43. NORTHWEST PLACEMENT INC.
44. OFW RECRUITMENT AGENCY
45. P & R MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
46. PEAK MANPOWER RESOURCES
47. PHILEMPLOY SERVICES & RESOURCES INC.
48. PHILTRADE INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
49. REAJENT MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
50. SAVEWAY INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
51. SILVER HORIZON INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
52. SMART INTERNATIONAL MARINE SERVICES CORP.
53. SKY RESOURCES EXCHANGE CORPORATION
54. STAFFLINE INC.
55. ST. BERNARD INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
56. STOCKHAUS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES CORPORATION
57. THE JOB CONNECTION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
58. THE JOBHUNTER INC.
59. TMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
60. WELCOME EMPLOYMENT CENTRE INC.
61. WHITE WING’S MANPOWER EXPONENT
62. W.M.G. INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY and
63. YES HUMAN RESOURCES INC.

So, to all Filipinos seeking employment abroad, please remember these agencies or at least keep this list in your pocket so no one would fall again to these devious agencies. Recruitment agencies were instituted not to exploit and make excessive and unnecessary fees from its applicants but rather help them ease the recruitment process of landing a job abroad with the least fees as possible. Good luck to all!

Note: Unfortunately, the agency who helped me get my current job here in KSA, #35 Nawras Manpower Services Inc., was among the agencies imposed with preventive suspension by the POEA for failing to repatriate troubled OFWs. However, my personal experience with Nawras went smoothly and okay. I was charged P5,000.oo for the Saudi embassy stamping of 5 documents (DFA Authenticated/Red Ribbon) I have on hand which is P1000.oo/doc. I also paid P3,000 plus (sorry I forgot the exact amount) for my medical examination taken at a certain medical center. They also asked me to pay P10,000.oo for the supposed processing fee (PhilHealth, OWWA, and SSS contributions included) and I paid all these in their cashier section with receipts. I don't know if all these fees were reasonable or overcharged or what but I was candidly satisfied with their recruitment process and transaction. And, by the way, my placement fee is equivalent to my monthly salary which would be deducted for 6 months. Thanks be to God, what was written in my contract was sincerely followed by my employer. In 20th of September, I will be in my 3rd month here in KSA.