DOLE talks with Kuwait for OFWs’ repatriation

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday is now working on the mass repatriation of the third batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait after successfully sending home 114 OFWs last month.

In a report sent to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, POLO Kuwait Labor Attaché Vivo Vidal stressed that the 493 OFWs shall be repatriated as soon as the ongoing negotiations with the Kuwait government—to provide additional free tickets, case clearances and facilitation of travel exit documents of said OFWs—are completed.

“There are about 169 OFWs already scheduled for fingerprinting, while 205 OFWs including outsiders and walk-ins have undergone the procedure and are presently awaiting the result,” Vidal said in his report.

It was learned that an additional 129 OFWs presently living at the Shuik Immigration Deportation Center are also waiting to be considered.

Under the 2011 Mass Repatriation Program of the Labor department pursuant to Rule 13 of Republic Act 10022, or the Migrant Workers’ Act of 2010, the first and second batch of OFWs were sent home on January 1 and 13, respectively.

“These OFWs shall be repatriated the soonest possible time with the cooperation of the host country and at no expense from the Philippine Government, allowing us to save more than P8 million,” Baldoz pointed out.

Upon their arrival into the country, the OFWs will be met by representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for debriefing and psycho-social intervention, in coordination with representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development relative to their integration.
JOMAR CANLAS

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