Kuwait promises humane treatment of undocumented Pinoys

POST-AMNESTY CRACKDOWN


The Kuwaiti government has assured the Philippines that undocumented and overstaying Filipinos who may be arrested following the end of the amnesty period will be given "proper and humane" treatment, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this was among the agreements reached during the meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Kuwait Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh earlier in the day.
Roque said the two parties also agreed to:
  • ensure immediate action by Kuwaiti authorities on pending requests for assistance from distressed Filipino workers;
  • facilitate the repatriation of the more than 600 Filipinos currently staying in shelters of the Philippine Embassy;
  • assure justice for pending and future cases filed by Filipinos who are victims of serious abuse and other offenses
The amnesty for undocumented and overstaying foreigners in Kuwait ended on April 22.
Cayetano met with Althwaikh amid the recent controversy over the Philippines' efforts to assist distressed OFWs in Kuwait.
During the meeting, Roque said Cayetano "reiterated the assurance of our respect for the sovereignty and internal processes of the State of Kuwait and the dignity of the Kuwaiti people even as we continue to work together to address matters of mutual concern."
"We remain optimistic that other issues between the Philippines and Kuwait would be resolved soon," Roque said. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News

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