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
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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