DFA: Philippines-Kuwait talks reach ‘positive but sensitive’ stage

MANILA, Philippines — Talks to resolve the diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait over the treatment of Filipino workers in the Gulf state remain delicate but are progressing well, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

Cayetano said the dialogue is going in a “good direction” between diplomats of the two countries over Kuwait’s protest against the rescue of abused Filipino workers by Philippine embassy personnel, which was videotaped and released on social media.

He said the date for signing the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on better treatment of Filipino workers in Kuwait could be tabled for discussion soon.

“The direction (of the talks) is very positive. The rapport of the talks between the (Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the (Department of Foreign Affairs) is very good but there are small but very important issues being discussed now,” Cayetano told dzBB.

Cayetano said out of the 38 rescues conducted by the embassy, only three were done without the presence of Kuwaiti police “for the simple reason that it was a matter of life and death.”

He added that the living conditions of the Filipino diplomats, who were charged by Kuwaiti authorities for the rescue, were okay and negotiations to allow them to return to the country are ongoing.

“I cannot talk about those people (in the Philippine embassy) because the talks are ongoing and sensitive but I can say that they’re in good conditions... anything we say can harm or can better the talks so we’d rather talk directly (with our counterparts),” Cayetano said.

He also said the Kuwaiti government has agreed to some requests of the Philippines with respect to the proposed MOU, including letting Filipino workers or embassy personnel to hold their passports; allowing them to own mobile phones; and giving them enough time to sleep and have one day off a week, among others.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito urged Cayetano yesterday to speed up talks with the Kuwaiti government to resolve the spat and lessen the risk of abuse on Filipino workers.

Ejercito said working quickly to defuse tensions should include the immediate forging of the MOU.

“The longer it takes to resolve the diplomatic quarrel, and delays in signing the MOU, increases the risk of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation of our hardworking men and women in Kuwait,” Ejercito said.

“While we seek an early resolution of issues between the two countries, the DFA should not also make any compromises that would expose our (overseas Filipino workers) in Kuwait to possible abuse,” he said.

The senator said the quarrel between the two countries as well as the sanctions the Kuwaiti government imposed on the Philippine embassy there might give Kuwaiti employers the mistaken impression on the way they should treat Filipino workers.

He expressed confidence that the disagreement will be resolved given the closeness of the two countries.

Meanwhile, Cayetano blasted Vice President Leni Robredo and the opposition for their alleged “double standard” amid the diplomatic crisis between the Philippines and Kuwait. – With Pia Lee-Brago