Overseas Filipino workers in Kuwait
SINGAPORE – Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has assured that the signing of the bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait will push through despite the recent setback in the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
Cayetano said it is likely to happen by middle of May this year.
“In fact they are following up on the signing as well as Secretary Bello. We will try to have the signing of the agreement here in the Philippines before Ramadan,” Cayetano said upon his arrival to Singapore to attend the 32nd ASEAN Summit.
The agreement covers protection for Filipino household and skilled workers in Kuwait and a number of privileges such as the use of communication gadget, the right of OFWs to keep their passports and employment documents and to ask the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) the opportunity to choose an employer in case of unfavorable working conditions.
However, Cayetano couldn’t confirm if the agreement has provisions on whether or not the Philippines will lift its deployment ban of workers in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti government is yet to respond to the apology sent by Cayateno over the rescue of distressed OFWs by the Philippine Embassy staff which led to Kuwait’s expulsion of Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa.
Cayateno, however, said Villa will still stay in Kuwait to carry on with assisting our compatriots in need of embassy assistance.
The Secretary also confirmed the arrest of the drivers of the rescue team. However, he is confident of their release as they were just hired by the embassy. – Mon Jocson | UNTV News & Rescue
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