Most OFWs in Kuwait unaffected by row —DFA



Published May 1, 2018 9:16pm 

Filipino workers in Kuwait are not likely to be affected by the current rocky relationship between the Philippines and the Gulf state, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Tuesday, allaying fears of pro-migrant groups.
At a press conference in Cebu, Cayetano said "96 percent" of Filipinos in Kuwait are in "good condition" and have no problems with their employers.
"The Kuwaiti is looking at them like family members. So whether or not there is ban, whether or not there's a rocky diplomatic relationship, hindi po napapahamak iyong 96 percent," he said.
The Philippines imposed a ban in February on facilitating Filipino employment in Kuwait and helped several thousand workers return home after reports of abuses and maltreatment of domestic helpers. The flashpoint was the discovery of the body of Joanna Demafelis in a freezer in an apartment unit previously occupied by her employers.
The diplomatic row started when Kuwait viewed as violation of its sovereignty the Philippine Embassy's move to "rescue" Filipino maids from their employers amid the reports of abuse.
The operation was captured on video and posted on social media, and was described by Kuwait as "inappropriate behavior." The Philippine government has since apologized for it.
Cayetano, during the press conference in Cebu, said their focus are the Filipinos who are being maltreated by their employers, the reason why the government intends to enter an agreement with Kuwait on the protection of OFWs.
He said unless Kuwaiti officials can guarantee the protection of OFWs, President Rodrigo Duterte will not lift the ban.
"Ang sabi ng Pangulo habang hindi protected ang 100 percent na Pilipino, hanggang walang agreement at implementing mechanism na protektado lahat ng Pilipino, ayaw niyang i-lift iyong ban at pirmahan iyong agreement," he said. —KBK, GMA News

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