Manila (AFP) - The Philippines will lift a ban on sending domestic workers to Saudi Arabia next November, after Riyadh agreed to strengthen protection measures for citizens of this Asian country, officials said.

In November, Manila stopped sending its domestic workers to Saudi Arabia, an important destination for Filipinos working abroad, after reports of mistreatment and non-payment of wages.

Manila will resume sending its workers on November 7, a decision announced after talks between the Philippine Ministry of Expatriate Labor and the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The two ministries pledged to "work closely together to facilitate decent and productive employment" for Filipino workers and ensure "their rights are protected," according to a joint statement issued late Tuesday.

Among other things, workers will be allowed to quit before the end of their contracts if the employer is abusive, and insurance cover will be provided for unpaid wages.

"Any acts of violence and any immoral acts are grounds for terminating (contracts) prematurely," Susan Obley, the Philippines' Minister for Migrant Workers, said in a press release.

The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment.

And on Tuesday, the Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, posted on his Twitter account a picture during his meeting with Obley in Riyadh.

"We stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and common interests between our two countries, and we also signed a memorandum of cooperation to resume the recruitment of Filipino workers to the Kingdom, including domestic workers, starting from November 7, 2022," Al-Rajhi wrote.

Elaine Sana, executive director of the Manila-based Migrant Advocacy Center, welcomed the announced changes, but said enforcement of protections was critical.

"Announcing them is not enough. Due diligence is important and making sure that all these reforms are implemented on the ground," SANA said.

More than 700,000 Filipinos work in the kingdom, most of them domestic workers, according to the latest official data.

Millions of Filipinos work abroad due to low wages or a lack of jobs in their country of 110 million people. The money they send home to their families is a lifeline to the local economy.