Manila Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will once again review the guidelines on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Kuwait aiming to ensure stronger protection for OFWs in Arab countries.
According to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, the department is currently reviewing whether it is necessary to implement stricter rules for domestic workers deployment.
This was caused by the death of OFWs in Kuwait namely Jenny Alvarado – due to suffocation from burning coal, and the case of Dafnie Nacalaban who was reportedly missing for more than two months but was later confirmed as death.
“We are reviewing our deployment policies and also trying to review the welfare of the long-term OFWs who are there in Kuwait. And as I said, we will come up with the findings on whether to tighten the requirements or impose more stringent measures,” Cacdac said.
For now, the DMW prohibits the deployment of OFWs who are working abroad for the first time or even those who have no work experience abroad.
However, the DMW will ensure that proper justice will be given to the relatives of the deceased OFW, including holding the OFW’s service provider accountable.
Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chair Senator Raffy Tulfo has again recommended to ban the sending of domestic workers to Kuwait.
DMW initially ban the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait in 2023 due to the murder cases of Julibee Ranara.
DMW requested a one-week extension from Tulfo to revise and re-study the rules of sending domestic workers to Kuwait.