THERE is no ban on workers who wish to return to their jobs in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh also reiterated the recent announcement of Saudi Ministry of Labor spokesperson Hattab al –Hanzi that the ban on the issuance of work visas for domestic workers from the Philippines effective July 2 applies only to new work visas.

It does not cover the household service workers with valid work visas who are already in Saudi Arabia or whose iqamas (residence permits) are up for renewal or those going on vacation. They can continue to work with their present employers.

This matter was confirmed by Saudi Assistant Deputy Minister of Labor Hashim Rajeh in a recent informal meeting with Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano.

The Philippine Embassy noted unconfirmed stories about some vacationing workers who reportedly encountered problems at the immigration counter at the international airport in Riyadh. 

Mohammad Al-Hussein, spokesman for the Passport Department (Jawasat) in Makkah province   denied the airport incidents.

“There is no absolute truth to it. If it is an exit/re-entry visa then it cannot be changed at the airports. The final exit is stamped only after a series of steps are taken by both the employee and the employer,” he said.