Rift with Kuwait should not hinder OFW protection —Villar


By AMITA LEGASPI, GMA News
Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday said the expulsion of Ambassador Renato Villa and the delay in the signing of memorandum of understanding should not hinder the government from protecting Filipino workers in Kuwait.
"We really have to protect our OFWs. Hindi naman unfounded ang ating concern," Villar said, noting the killing of Filipina domestic helper Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in Kuwait in February.
"Whatever pain we have to suffer, we really have to protect our OFWs," she added.
Kuwait expelled Villa days after it expressed disapproval of the Philippine Embassy's action to conduct a series of rescue operations of Filipino maids allegedly abused by their employers. Kuwait said what the embassy did was in
violation of international laws and its sovereignty.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the rescue mission was coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities.
An OFW advocate herself, Villar said no matter the situation between the Philippines and Kuwait is, the protection of OFWs should be paramount.
"I don’t blame them (DFA) na aggressive sila ngayon. So if magalit ang Kuwait, we cannot do anything about that. What is important is for our DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and our DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to take care of our OFWs,” she said.
The senator also said the government should be ready to have jobs ready for the OFWs who will decide to stay in the country.
"We have to be ready for that and ang daming demands sa atin. Tourism is booming and then construction is booming. We can retrain them to be construction worker. Mga babae pwede ‘yan sa painting at saka welding," she said.
Asked on how the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Kuwait could be repaired, Villar said it could be healed in time. "Let's be patient and wait but I don't think it's that serious." —KBK, GMA News

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