Kuwait, Syria not safe for OFWs — Migrant Group

MANILA, Philippines — Middle East countries Kuwait and Syria are not safe destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly domestic helpers, a migrant workers group based in the region said.

According to Migrante-Middle East (Migrante-ME), they continuously receive numerous requests for assistance from Filipino domestic helpers as well as their families in the Philippines pleading for assistance for their abused and maltreated OFWs.

Migrante-ME gave this reaction following a statement Tuesday from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), saying that it has received “certifications” from 10 countries which will be given to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) governing board.

The countries are: Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Ireland, Saipan, Norway, Syria, and Vietnam.

The DFA was referring to the required certification issued by the concerned RP ambassador in compliance of the requirement of the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act or Republic Act (R.A) 10022.

Migrante-Middle East Regional Coordinator John Leonard Monterona said the inclusion of Kuwait and Syria in the list of safe countries for OFWs is ill-advised.

“This is misleading. How could you consider Kuwait and Syria as safe destinations for OFWs if on a daily basis we are receiving two to three average cases of OFW abuses and maltreatment?” Monterona asked.

“How would the Philippine embassy explain why there is still a huge number of distressed and runaway OFWs…seeking refuge at Filipino Workers Resource Centers and their numbers are increasing?”

Monterona expressed worry that just for the sake of issuing the certification as required by R.A.10022, the safety and protection of OFWs in countries where there are rampant cases of abuses will again be compromised.

Under the law, concerned RP diplomatic posts must issue certifications verifying that these labor-receiving countries: 1.) have existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of migrant workers; 2.) have signed or ratified multilateral conventions, declarations, or resolutions relating to the protection of migrant workers; 3.) have concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement on the protection of the rights of OFWs and 4.) are taking positive and concrete measures to implement the first three criteria. –ELLSON A. QUISMRIO, Manila Bulletin