Department of Foreign Affairs facade
The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait recently reported that they receive not less than five rescue requests each day.
Because of this, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent an augmentation team to rescue a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking help in the Arab nation.
According to Director Raul Dado, head of the augmentation team, they have already rescued 30 OFWs with different employment issues since their arrival in Kuwait on April 7.
The rescue team admits there are complications in their conduct of rescue operations. This is because some OFWs need to transfer locations as they are victims of human trafficking.
Ohers are being held by employers who do not want to open communication with authorities. But the most challenging cases, according the team, are cases of missing OFWs.
Despite the Kuwaiti government’s extension of its amnesty program from February to April 22, many Filipinos still opt to gamble and stay in the Gulf state even without proper documents.
“Aming hinikayat, ginawa natin lahat ng paraan para makumbinsi sila ngunit ang sinasabi ng iba, gusto pa rin nila magpatuloy na magtrabaho ng part time kahit pinaalalahanan na pagkatapos ng amnesty, simula sa April 23 ay magkakaroon na malawakang crackdown,” Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa explained.
(We have done everything to convince them but some say they want to continue working part-time. This is despite warnings of a widespread crackdown after the amnesty ends on April 23.)
Based on embassy records, from around 10,000 OFWs without proper documents or expired visa, only around 5,500 have applied for amnesty and repatriation.
Since February this year, a total of 4,515 distressed workers have already been repatriated from Kuwait. — Sonny delos Reyes | UNTV News & Rescue
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