THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is reassessing its policies on deploying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait, aiming to bolster protections for Filipino workers, particularly domestic helpers, in the Gulf state.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the department is examining its current deployment guidelines and considering stricter measures to safeguard the welfare of OFWs.
“We are reviewing our deployment policies and also trying to review the welfare of long-time OFWs in Kuwait. And as I said, we will come up with the findings on whether to tighten the requirements or impose more stringent measures,” Mr. Cacdac said in mixed English and Filipino in a statement.
Currently, the DMW prohibits the deployment of first-time OFWs without prior overseas experience. The department has also introduced measures, such as pre-departure briefings, electronic on-site monitoring, and a system of whitelisting and blacklisting Kuwaiti recruiters.
“We are also implementing the whitelisting and blacklisting of Kuwaiti recruiters, pre-departure briefings, and electronic on-site monitoring. Everybody goes through pre-departure briefings, and so we know their contact numbers. We meet them personally before they leave,” he added.
The review follows the recent deaths of two OFWs in Kuwait, including Jenny Alvarado, who died from suffocation caused by burning coal, and Dafnie Nacalaban, who was found dead in December after being reported since October. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana