DMW halts ‘first-time’ OFWs to Kuwait
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, that it has imposed a temporary suspension on the deployment of first-time overseas Filipino workers (OFW), particularly household helpers, to Kuwait.
DMW Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople said the decision to defer the deployment was made amid the ongoing discussion to ensure the safety and welfare of OFWs until significant reforms have been made resulting from upcoming bilateral talks with Kuwait.
“The application of first-time migrant workers specifically for household services in Kuwait shall be deferred until after significant reforms have been made and more safeguards are in place for their protection and welfare,” said Ople.
The decision was triggered by the death of 35-years old Jullebee Ranara at the hands of the 17-years old son of her employer that sparked outrage in the Philippines and prompted officials to call for a deployment ban to Kuwait, but which was rejected by Ople (see also Pinoy Exposé, January 25, 2023).
Ople explained that deployment ban is not being considered since it would affect around 260,000 OFWs, of which around 195,000 of them are household service workers, currently in Kuwait.
Ople noted that domestic workers have several countries to choose from, aside from Kuwait.
“Hong Kong remains a strong alternative and is much nearer to home, and we also have Singapore where we have very good relations with our counterpart ministry,” said Ople.
She remains optimistic that significant changes can still be made to the existing bilateral labor agreement that the Philippines has with Kuwait.
On the calls from several government officials on the total deployment ban in Kuwait, Ople explained that there are actual OFWs who have already worked in Kuwait for several years who still want to go back to their old employers or seek new ones.
“We have also been informed through diplomatic channels of the willingness of the Kuwait government to engage in bilateral labor talks,” Ople said.
