Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday said it is planning to revise the labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait following the death of another overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the Gulf state.
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“Meron na po tayong tinatawag na legal framework, ito nga ‘yung labor cooperation agreement natin. Re-rebisahin po natin ‘to, titingnan natin kung paano natin mapapaigting, mapapa-enhance further ‘yung protection and promotion of the welfare [ng OFWs],” DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
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[Translation: We have the so-called legal framework, this is the labor cooperation agreement. We will revise this and see how we can improve it to enhance the protection and promotion of welfare of OFWs.]
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Inked in 2018, the agreement protects the rights of OFWs, including their right to keep their passports and to keep their line of communication. It was signed after the Philippines imposed a deployment ban to the Middle Eastern country following reports of OFWs being abused, including the case of Joanna Demafelis who was found inside a freezer at her employer’s home.
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Last Sunday, Jullebee Ranara was found dead in a desert in Salmi, Al-Jarah Governorate.
READ: Remains of OFW killed in Kuwait to be brought home on Friday
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Olalia said a delegation will be sent to Kuwait to coordinate with authorities there to review and improve the agreement.
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“We did this in Saudi Arabia,” he added. “Nagkaroon tayo ng white list framework na kung saan ‘yung mga compliant lamang at ‘yung mga walang violation na mga foreign recruitment agencies and employers ang pwede mag-join sa deployment.”
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[Translation: We had a while list framework wherein only foreign recruitment agencies and employers who are compliant and who do not have violations will be allowed to join the deployment.]
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