Polo in Riyadh temporarily suspends ops after 6 staff test positive for COVID-19

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended operations starting June 14, 2020, due to six staff members testing positive for COVID-19.

This temporary closure aims to prevent further spread of the virus among staff and clients, and to allow for thorough disinfection of the office.

All 37 POLO personnel were tested after initial infections were confirmed and transmitted within the office.

Despite the suspension, POLO officers and staff will continue to work from home, providing 24/7 remote assistance, consulting services, and counseling to distressed OFWs.

In a separate development, POLO in Doha, Qatar successfully assisted 59 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were terminated due to redundancy in December 2019.

The DOLE stated that the Qatar government's intervention compelled the employer, Leighton Contracting Company, to provide the terminated OFWs with their due salaries and benefits.

Leighton Contracting Company is now arranging the repatriation of the 59 affected workers, who were employed in various technical roles.