Major "breakthroughs" in Kuwait migration of OFWs

President Rodrigo Duterte, Secretary Silvestre Bello III and this administration should be credited for a Memorandum of Agreement between Kuwait and our government on changes in the protocols of labor migration there. This government showed concrete action and decisiveness in dealing with Kuwait. The previous administrations always approached Kuwait on bended knees. They did not earn the respect of the Kuwaiti government. President Duterte's hard stance made Kuwait authorities realize Filipinos have dignity and should be respected.

However, if we really dissect the contents of the agreement, nothing is new. The provisions are merely reiteration of what are already covered by existing protocols and international agreements. They are fundamental rights of migrant workers that the previous administrations did not implement faithfully. First, OFWs should be in possession of their passports all the time, these should not be confiscated by the employers for whatever reason. This has always been the dictum in all international conventions of all civilized nations. Possession of cellphones is covered by the international covenant on fundamental human rights to access to communication. Nonetheless, I still credit the Duterte government for putting this in a new covenant.

The agreement on rest days, working hours, holidays and other basic labor standards are already contained in all work contracts and job orders executed by recruiters and employers. The only difference now is the determination to implement all these safety nets. For this, we need a strong and unyielding Labor attaché in Kuwait who will not succumb to the pressures of other embassy officials, like the ambassador and consular officers. We need to support our Philippine Oversea Labor Office. For instance, we need at least four Welfare Officers to protect the over 200,000 OFWs there.

Kuwait is richer than Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. Their dinar is the highest-valued currency on earth. Their volume of oil exceeds that of Bahrain, UAE, Oman or even Qatar. Its massive oil reserves have made the quality of life there much better than all its neighboring Arab states. But despite its relatively more liberal legal system, Kuwait's kafala system concerning migrant workers has caused the oppression and exploitation of OFWs, most specifically domestic helpers. The conviction of Demafelis' killers in absentia was merely a collateral breakthrough. Working in Kuwait as a DH is still hazardous.

With or without a state-to-state agreement, I will not allow any of my children or relatives to work in Kuwait as DH. I should know. I lived and worked in Kuwait for more than two years as Labor attaché. I was also an OFW.

Nevertheless, I salute, President Duterte and Secretary Bello for having done what has never been done before.

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