This document provides an overview of key information for OFWs going to Saudi Arabia, including:
- Demographics on the estimated Filipino population in KSA and common problems faced.
- Background on Saudi Arabia's government, culture, language, religion, cuisine and holidays.
- Practical guidance on dos and don'ts, communication, transportation, and working hours/conditions.
- Contact details for the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in KSA cities.
13. SAUDI CLOTHING
• Abaya – outer garment
• Batula/Burka – mask to cover face
Women Wear. . .Men Wear. . .
Thob
14. LANGUAGE
Arabic (official)
English
Assalamu Alaykum! Sumainyo nawa ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon
you.
َع ُمَالَّسالْمُكْيَل.
Wa alaykumus
salam!
At sumainyo rin ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon you
too.
ُمُكْيَلَع َوُمَالَّسال.
Sabaahal-khair! Magandang umaga po! Good morning. َخْال ُحاَبَصِْي.
Sabaahan-nour! Magandang umaga rin
po!
Good morning
too.
الن ُحاَبَصِ ْْو.
Masaa-al khair! Magandang hapon po! Good afternoon! ْيَخْال ُءاَسَمِ.
Masaa-an nour! Magandang hapon din ! Good afternoon
too.
ْْوالن ُءاَسَمِ.
Kayfa haaluka ? Kumusta po kayo? How are you? ُلاَح َْفيَكَ ك/
؟ك
15. RELIGIONS
Muslim (official; citizens are 85-
90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia)
Others (includes Eastern
Orthodox, Protestant, Roman
Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist,
and Sikh)
Most forms of public religious
expression inconsistent with the
government-sanctioned
interpretation of Sunni Islam are
restricted.
Non-Muslims not allowed to visit non-Muslim places.
17. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The national holidays in the Kingdom :
Eid al-Fitr: Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of the holy month
of Ramadan (the first of Shawal). It extends for 10 days
for public sector while private sector ranges from 3 to 7
days.
Eid al-Adha: Eid al-Adha comes on the tenth of Dhu al-
Hijjah. The official holiday lasts for10 days while they
range from 3 to 7 days for the private sectors.
Saudi National Day: The day of the unification of the
Kingdom is on September 23. It is a one-day holiday for
both public and private sectors.
18. WORKING HOURS
• Friday is the weekly day of rest,
but government offices are closed
on Saturdays.
• Government working hours:
7:30AM to 2:30PM
• Private business: 9:30AM until
around 2:00PM, with an evening
session from 5:00 to 8:00PM.
19. WORKING HOURS
Working hours during Ramadan :
• Government Offices: 10:00AM to
3:00PM
• Private Offices: 9:00AMor 10:00AM
to 3:00PM or 4:00PM
• Working hours during Ramadan is
6 hours only. Most companies
arrange working hours differently
for Muslim employees and Non-
Muslim employees.
20. KSA COMMUNICATION
When calling from
Saudi to the Philippines:
Dial 00 + 63 + (Area Code)
+ (Telephone Number)
When calling from
Philippines to Saudi:
Dial 00 + 996 + (Area Code)
+ (Telephone Number)
Internet Code: .sa
Time Difference: The Philippines is ahead by 5
hours.
22. DOs IN SAUDI ARABIA
Respect their
laws.
Respect their
prayer time.
Pay special
respect to older
people.
23. DOs IN SAUDI ARABIA
Stand when older people
enter a room.
Stand when speaking to one’s
elders .
Serve older people first at a
meal table.
Appreciate your host’s
hospitality.
24. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
Don’t walk in front of
someone who in prayer.
Respect their praying carpet.
Never step on it or walk thru
it.
Avoid eating, making any noise, or playing any music
when the Holy Quran is being read.
25. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Don’t bring any pornographic materials,
magazines, pictures, video tapes, and
even in soft copy format (in USB
devices, laptops, CD, etc), alcohol
drinks or beverages.
• Don’t bring amulets or anting-anting or
similar items considered as voodoo
materials. You can go to jail.
26. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Don’t bring religious items
incompatible with Saudi Arabian
Laws (e.g. rosary, bible, images,
pictures, etc.)
• Do not buy or take alcoholic drinks,
or indulge yourself in the illegal trade
of alcohol.
27. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Do not participate in any
form of gambling.
• Do not take pictures or
video in public places.
28. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• If you are a Christian, it is better
not to discuss religion (either
Christianity or Islam) with
Muslims.
• Never use the word “ALLAH” in
vain.
• Don’t involve yourself in any
political activity or join any
religious activity.
29. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Don’t stare or smile at
men, especially when you
don’t know them. It will
give them the impression
that you have interest in
them.
• Don’t stare at the Arabic
women. It is considered
an insult.
30. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Don’t point your index finger at
someone while talking.
• Don’t call them by their
nickname or use foreign words
like “You, Hey, Baby, Arabo”.
Better address them as SIR,
MISS or MADAM.
31. DON’Ts IN SAUDI ARABIA
• Never walk in front or
ahead of your
employer.
• Mixing of sexes in
public is strongly
discouraged. Men are
not supposed to talk
to the opposite sex.
32. IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• Makkah and Madinah hold special religious
significance to Muslims and only persons of the
Islamic faith are allowed to enter.
• Before entering a house of a Saudi, you should stand
at the door in such a way you cannot see the inside.
You can only enter when your host has gestured to
you by extending his right hand, palm up, and says,
“tafaddal” or “come in.”
33. AIRPORT RULES IN SAUDI ARABIA
PDOS ADVISORY NO. 10, SERIES OF 2009
1. All electronic devices are now required to be submitted for check-
up before the immigration section. These include cellular phones
with memory cards, flash disks, external hard drives, laptops, ipod,
and mp3 players.
2. A special device will be inserted into the electronic devices that will
scan all videos, pictures, etc. which will be recorded in their main
computer. All devices with nude or sexy pictures and similar
materials will be immediately confiscated. Laptops with pirated
software will also be confiscated.
3. Passengers who refuse to be subjected to inspection will be either
sent to jail or deported.
34. Estimated number of Filipinos Total
a. Permanent residents ----
b. Temporary residents
770,990
c. Irregular/Undocumented Migrants Not available
TOTAL 770,990
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
Source : Report to Congress by DFA, 2014.
35. Problems Encountered by OFWs
Delayed / inaccurate / non-payment of wages and other benefits
Contract substitution
Unlawful salary deductions (iqama fees/costs)
Homesickness
Overwork / no rest day
Non-issuance of iqama
Insufficient food
Improper accommodation
Maltreatment / abuse of HSWs
Sexual abuse /rape
36. Prevailing Changes in the Laws and Policies
Affecting OFWs
I. Latest restriction in host government’s immigration
policies
OFWs can only transfer to a new employer after serving two years
with his original sponsor.
Case blotter at Jawasat (Immigration) filed by the sponsors against
absconding workers can no longer be lifted even by the sponsor
himself.
37. Prevailing Changes in the Laws and Policies
Affecting OFWs
II. Saudization
The private sector will be required to employ more Saudi nationals on the
basis of company size and type of economic activity. The private companies
will be classified as compliant (those in the green and blue zones) and non-
compliant (red and yellow).
“Red” companies will not able to renew the work permits of their foreign
workers, while “Yellow” companies cannot renew the work permits of foreign
workers who have been in Saudi Arabia for more than 6 years.
38. No. 10 Abi Al Maali Al Zaki Street, Sulaimaniyah District, Riyadh.
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
IN RIYADH, KSA
Location
Southwest Asia or the Middle East, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula.
Land Area:
1,960,582 sqkm (Six times the land area of the Philippines)
Border Countries:
Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Constitution:
The Holy Qur'an (Governed according to Islamic Law)
Government Type: Monarchy with Council of Ministers and Consultative Council. Unification: September 23, 1932. Constitution: The Holy Qur'an (governed according to Islamic Law), Shari'a, and the Basic Law. Branches: Executive--King (chief of state and head of government; rules under the title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques). Legislative--a Consultative Council with advisory powers was formed September 1993. Judicial--Supreme Court, Supreme Judicial Council, Islamic Courts of First Instance and Appeals. Administrative divisions: 13 provinces. Political parties: None.
Government Branches: Executive: King (chief of state and head of government) Legislative: none; a Consultative Council with advisory powers was formed September 1993. Judicial: Supreme Council of Justice, Islamic Courts of First Instance and Appeals. Economy GDP (2008 est.): $527 billion. Annual growth rate (2008 est.): 6.1%. Per capita GDP (2008): $21,062. Natural resources: Hydrocarbons, gold, uranium, bauxite, coal, iron, phosphate, tungsten, zinc, silver, copper. Agriculture: Products--dates, grains, livestock, vegetables. Arable land--1.76%. Industry: Types--petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, fertilizer, light industry. Trade (2008 est.): Exports--$364 billion: petroleum and petroleum products. Imports--$103 billion: manufactured goods, transportation equipment, clothing and textiles, processed food products. Major trading partners--China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, U.K., U.S. (2006).
Oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities.
Other major industries are cement, construction, fertilizer and plastics.
Saudi coins are called “halalahs.”
100 halalahs is equal to 1 Riyal
Bank notes are printed in Arabic on one side and English on the reverse side.
Varies from very hot to very cold.
Summer is from March – September
Cold season is from October – February
Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of Islam, which in the century following the Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 A.D. spread west to Spain and east to India. Islam obliges all Muslims to make the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, at least once during their lifetime if they are able to do so. The cultural environment in Saudi Arabia is highly conservative; the country officially adheres to the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic religious law (Shari'a). Cultural presentations must conform to narrowly defined standards of ethics. Men and women are not permitted to attend public events together and are segregated in the work place. Most Saudis are ethnically Arab. Some are of mixed ethnic origin and are descended from Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, Africans, and others, most of whom immigrated as pilgrims and reside in the Hijaz region along the Red Sea coast. Many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom. There also are significant numbers of Asian expatriates mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Westerners in Saudi Arabia number under 100,000.
Local food is often strongly flavored and spicy. The most common meats are lamb and chicken, beef is rare and pork is proscribed under Islamic law. The main meat meal of the day is lunch. Foreign cooking is on offer in larger towns and the whole range of international cuisine, including fast food, is available in the oil-producing Eastern Province and in Jeddah. Things to know: Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan will incur strict penalties. Restaurants have table service. There are no bars. Alcohol is forbidden by law, and there are severe penalties
for infringement; it is important to note that this
applies to all nationals regardless of religion. National specialties: • Pitta bread (flat, unleavened bread) accompanies every dish. • Rice, lentils, chick peas (hummus) and cracked wheat (burghul) are also common. • Kultra (chicken or lamb on skewers) is popular for lunch. • Kebabs served with soup and vegetables. • Mezze, the equivalent of hors d’oeuvres, may include up to 40 dishes. National drinks: • Arabic coffee and fruit drinks are popular alternatives to alcohol. • Alcohol-free beers and cocktails are served in hotel bars. Tipping: The practice of tipping is becoming much more common and waiters should be given 10%.
No cinemas …
No theatres …
No clubs…
No videoke…
(in Saudi Arabia, since these are regarded as incompatible with Islam)
Arabs play sports instead as recreation and form of socialization. Football is the most popular sport in Riyadh.
Local food is often strongly flavored and spicy. The most common meats are lamb and chicken, beef is rare and pork is proscribed under Islamic law. The main meat meal of the day is lunch. Foreign cooking is on offer in larger towns and the whole range of international cuisine, including fast food, is available in the oil-producing Eastern Province and in Jeddah. Things to know: Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan will incur strict penalties. Restaurants have table service. There are no bars. Alcohol is forbidden by law, and there are severe penalties
for infringement; it is important to note that this
applies to all nationals regardless of religion. National specialties: • Pitta bread (flat, unleavened bread) accompanies every dish. • Rice, lentils, chick peas (hummus) and cracked wheat (burghul) are also common. • Kultra (chicken or lamb on skewers) is popular for lunch. • Kebabs served with soup and vegetables. • Mezze, the equivalent of hors d’oeuvres, may include up to 40 dishes. National drinks: • Arabic coffee and fruit drinks are popular alternatives to alcohol. • Alcohol-free beers and cocktails are served in hotel bars. Tipping: The practice of tipping is becoming much more common and waiters should be given 10%.
No cinemas …
No theatres …
No clubs…
No videoke…
(in Saudi Arabia, since these are regarded as incompatible with Islam)
Arabs play sports instead as recreation and form of socialization. Football is the most popular sport in Riyadh.
September 23, commemorating the foundation of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
Saudi Arabia has 3 international airports at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam
Air travel within Saudi Arabia is provided by Saudia and 2 low budget carriers (Sama and Nas)
Saudi Railways Organization provides railway service between Riyadh, Al-Hofuf and Dammam
Saudi Arabian Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO) operates bus services in Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries
Within cities, taxis are the only practical means of transportation. There is also a minibus service.
Driving in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has the highest traffic accidents. Drive safely and defensively!
Follow traffic signs! Hidden traffic cameras (Saher Traffic System) are everywhere.
Those with traffic violation cannot leave the country unless violations are settled!
Women are not allowed to drive.
Driving Tips
You can drive in Saudi on an International Driving License and some national licenses for up to three months, after this you need to get a Saudi license already.
Women are not allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia, and a woman can only travel by car if accompanied by her husband, male relative or male driver.
Stand when older people enter a room, greet older people before others present (even if they are better known to you), stand when speaking to one’s elders and serve older people first at a meal table.
Case blotter at Jawasat (Immigration) filed by the sponsors against absconding workers can no longer be lifted even by the sponsor himself.
