DMW eyes strict measures to protect OFWs as Kuwait lifts visa ban

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) would implement stricter measures to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who would be deployed to Kuwait.

In a news release Wednesday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they would also enhance their monitoring of the conditions of OFWs in the Gulf state, as agreed upon by both Manila and Kuwait.

“The said measures include the implementation of a system for the Blacklist and Whitelist of Recruitment Agencies and employers that will participate in the resumption of deployment, the provision of salaries of OFWs through electronic payment to ensure timely payment of wages, and the appointment of welfare officers to monitor, report, and assist OFWs in the whole-cycle of their labor migration,” Cacdac said.

In a briefing on Tuesday, the DMW chief said Kuwait would ease restrictions on the issuance of entry and work visas to Filipinos which have been in effect since May last year.

Cacdac said this is the result of the June 23 meeting between DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Jose Cabrera III, DMW Labor Attaché Manuel Dimaano representing the Philippines, and Kuwaiti Interior Minister and First Deputy Minister of Defense Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah in Kuwait.

Representatives from the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Authority for Manpower also joined the meeting.

The DMW chief said the lifting of the deployment ban would reopen opportunities for professional, skilled, and semi-skilled Filipino workers to work in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, domestic workers should have prior experience working overseas before they can be deployed to Kuwait.

To further ensure OFW protection, the Philippines and Kuwait also agreed to establish a joint technical working committee to periodically meet to resolve labor-related issues and other concerns.

“The resolution is a continuing manifestation of the cordiality, of the friendship between the two nations established by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and then Kuwaiti Crown Prince and now Emir Sheikh Meshal back in October 2023. Also, yung mga nakaraang negotiations and meetings played a part in building up into resolution. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Kuwaiti side for their openness and sa magandang pag-uusap (Also, the previous negotiations and meetings played a part in building up into resolution. We thank the Kuwaiti side for their openness and for the good conversation),” Cacdac said. (PNA)