Kuwait has bared plans to increase the insurance benefit package for Filipino domestic helpers in the Middle East state, a Philippine Embassy report said yesterday.
The Kuwait Agency Owners led by Abdul Aziz Al Ali proposed a comprehensive insurance coverage for the workers to Philippine officials to amply protect and promote the welfare of the Filipino maids.
Kuwait, a popular labor destination for Filipino workers, employs about 73,000 Filipinos. Of this figure, 60,000 Filipino women employed mostly as domestic helpers, work in this oil-rich state and earn less than $200 a month on average.
It also has one of the highest rates of physical and sexual abuse committed against Filipino workers in the Middle East region.
Under the plan, workers will be covered by a 24-month insurance period that include: Death due to any cause, permanent total disability due to accident, permanent partial disability due to accident, medical expenses due to accident, repatriation benefit in case of death, repatriation benefit in case of being declared medically unfit due to accident/sickness or bedded passenger, and repatriation benefit in case of breach of contract/being declared medically unfit due to accident/sickness and compensation for unpaid salaries.
In addition to the said benefits the insurance package will also allocate for a legal assistance hotline and legal services for any breach of contract issues including physical/sexual abuse and unpaid salaries.
The hotline provides for a call center manned by legally qualified staff that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days of the week.
Maximum age limit for the insurance policy is 50 years. If above 50 years, special rates will apply.
The insurance will only be valid within Kuwait and the premium would cost 35 Kuwaiti Dinar plus KD1.50 for fees.
Philippine Ambasador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera commended the agency owners for coming up with the proposed insurance package, saying this proposal would guarantee the safety and protection of Filipino household service workers in Kuwait.
A detailed proposal of the insurance package will be submitted by the agency owners union for the embassy’s consideration. –Michaela P. del Callar, Daily Tribune
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