PH, Kuwait to sign deal for OFW protection on May 11

Maxxy Santiago@maxxymize
Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III, Pres. Spokesperson Harry Roque & former Labor Sec. Marianito Roque arrive at the PH Embassy in Kuwait after meeting with Kuwaiti officials. Seen also for the first time after a long time is OUMWA Exec. Dir Raul Dado @ABSCBNNews
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KUWAIT - The Philippines and Kuwait are set to sign on Friday a memorandum of understanding to provide greater protection for Philippine workers in the Gulf state, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday.
"At sa a-onse po yung araw na inaasahan natin na magkakaroon po ng lagdaan po ng memorandum of agreement," told reporters in Kuwait.
Roque said the deal contains provisions that will allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to keep their cellphones so they could call for help in case of emergencies, 8 hours minimum of sleep, for employers to provide food to OFWs, and for their passports to be deposited at the Philippine Embassy.
The Philippines had set the MOU with Kuwait as a condition to end its deployment ban to the Gulf state, a move triggered by the string of deaths of OFWs working in the Gulf state.
Controversial rescue missions, however, had cast doubt on the fate of the MOU, until officials from both sides met again and agreed to work on normalizing ties.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he will recommend a partial lifting of the ban to President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Baka partial lifting lang to allow the deployment of skilled workers. Yun ang ire-recommend ko kay Presidente. Kailangan tignan muna natin yung immediate effect ng MOU," he said.
Aside from agreeing to push through with the signing of the MOU, Kuwait also agreed to create a special unit within the local police that the Philippine Embassy could liaison with in addressing calls for help from Filipino workers.
A phone number where Filipinos can call for assistance will also be set up.

The Filipino delegation includes Roque, Bello, former Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Labor Attaché Rustico dela Fuente, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait Mohd Noordin Lomondot. -with reports from Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN News

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