CHR seeks review of labor agreements with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia


Deeply saddened by the brutal death of a Filipino domestic worker in Kuwait and the abuse inflicted on another in Saudi Arabia, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stressed the need for the review of the Philippines' labor agreements with the two countries "to guarantee non-repetition and to improve working conditions."
In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia expressed the Commission's deepest sympathies to the family of Constancia Dayag, 47, who died after allegedly being abused by her employer in Kuwait.
The CHR also said it hopes to provide support to Lovely Acosta Ruelo, who was tied to a tree by her employer in Riyadh, as she recovers from the trauma she suffered.
"Expedient reforms need to be put in place to ensure that no OFW will suffer the same fate," De Guia said.
"Let Constancia's memory, Ana's experience, and many others before them provide the impetus for steadfast installation of safeguards and systems that will ensure utmost protection for all OFWs," she added.
In her statement, De Guia said that while the CHR welcomes the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) move to file criminal charges against Dayag's employers, "quick response needs to be guaranteed for urgent distress calls or signs of maltreatment to prevent the worst from happening."
She added that they have "previously recommended for stricter monitoring of all OFWs as a preventive measure for human rights abuses and modern-day slavery."
The CHR stresses that "countries where violations repeatedly occur must be able to provide positive and concrete measures to protect the rights of Filipino migrant workers."
Republic Act 10022 or Migrant Workers’ Act "specifically indicates that the government to allow the deployment of OFWs only in countries where their rights are protected without compromise," De Guia said,
"Access to justice, emergency response, psychosocial, and medical treatment must also be guaranteed by the labor-receiving country especially for aggrieved OFWs," she added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News

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