Koko urges DOLE to consider expanding deployment ban to cover other countries


By KATHRINA CHARMAINE ALVAREZ, GMA News
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to consider expanding the deployment ban to other countries that treat Filipino household service workers (HSWs) unfairly.
Pimentel, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, said the government should no longer wait for more deaths among OFWs.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered a halt to the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, following the death of seven Filipinos now under investigation, including that of Joanna Demafelis.
“Ang nangyari, naka-concentrate sa isang bansa, a total ban on one country. But sana, i-review na ng DOLE ang possible ban on deploying household workers in societies or countries which have in their immediate past a history of slave ownership, or of treating household help as second-class citizens. Huwag na tayong mag-deploy doon,” Pimentel said.
“Kesa sa mag-dedeploy tayo, hihintayin natin na may mamatay, magagalit ang Presidente, nagiging deployment ban against a country. We should look at the household service workers. They are the most vulnerable sa lahat, kasi nakatira sa bahay ng employer,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, for his part, said repatriated OFWs should be assured of employment and livelihood assistance.
Recto pointed out that Filipinos in Kuwait sent home P40.6 billion last year.
“Hindi barya-barya ang ipinapadala nila sa atin. It helps keep our economy afloat.  Pawis, luha at dugo ang puhunan nila. We are under obligation to reciprocate  this sacrifice with prompt care,” he said. — BM, GMA News

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