Deployment of Pinoys to Kuwait to start anew

Published May 17, 2018 8:43pm 

The deployment of Filipinos to Kuwait is expected to start anew following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to lift the total ban on sending workers to the Gulf state.
According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Thursday, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) will release a governing board resolution on Friday ordering recruitment agencies to again accept applicants for Kuwait.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was earlier signed by the Philippines and Kuwait that includes provisions about workers' security, food and working hours.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Duterte is convinced that Filipino workers in the Arab country will be well-protected following the signing of the MOU.
"With the signing of the MOU and the gesture of goodwill shown by the Kuwaiti government in giving justice to Demafelis, magandang gesture 'yun so I think the President feels our workers now are well-protected," Bello said.
A ban on sending Filipino workers to Kuwait was placed in February following the discovery of the body of Joanna Demafelis.
Relations between the Philippines and Kuwait deteriorated further after a video of Philippine diplomatic staff rescuing abused OFWs made its way online, with the Kuwaiti government protesting what it called the diplomatic staff's "inappropriate behavior."
Despite Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano's apology to the Kuwaiti government, the Arab state expelled Ambassador Renato Villa, leading to Duterte's calling for a permanent ban on sending workers to the Gulf state.

Data from the POEA shows that more than 100,000 Filipinos are presently working in Kuwait.
The agency said that local recruitment firms must have a full grasp of the provisions in the MOU so they can implement it thoroughly.
"Napakaimportanteng makausap at maipaliwanag natin nang mabuti sa mga participating local licensed recruitment agencies dito sa Philippines, 'yung new provisions ng labor agreement dahil sila po ang kasama nating magiimplement nito," said POEA administrator Bernard Olalia.
Some 3,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) whose scheduled deployment to Kuwait was halted by the deployment suspension in January will be the first batch of workers who will be allowed to go back.
Some agencies ensured that there are enough jobs for Filipinos who want to try their luck and work in Kuwait.
"Kahit noong ban maraming nag-a-apply sa Kuwait, mga agency lang ang tumatanggi kasi nga may ban, bawal 'yun sa amin," said Estrelita Hizon, president of the United Placeman Philippines Inc.
"Talagang number one nilang gusto, actually status symbol din nila pag Pilipino 'yung kanilang housemate ibig sabihin meron silang sinasabi dahil pinakamataas ang sweldo ng mga Pilipino doong katulong," added Amanda Lalic-Araneta, former president of the Philippine Licensed Agencies Accredited to Kuwait.
The Philippine government ordered a total deployment ban on Filipino workers, particularly domestic workers, to Kuwait in February, shortly after the discovery of Demafelis' body. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News

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