CHR backs suspension of OFW deployment to Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights is supporting the government decision to suspend the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait pending the investigation on the death of seven migrant workers. 

CHR commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana – the agency’s focal person for migrant workers’ rights – said the decision to suspend deployment of OFWs will provide stakeholders time to reflect and adopt the necessary reforms to strengthen and uphold the rights of migrant workers, especially those working as domestic workers.

“The CHR supports the government’s efforts to promote stronger protection and enhanced welfare mechanisms for our overseas Filipino workers especially those most prone to abuse and exploitation,” said Gana. 

“Migrant workers’ rights are human rights and we all share an obligation to make sure that our OFWs are treated well and fairly around the world,” she added. 

Gana said that her office is willing to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment and other agencies, civil society organizations, and OFW groups in pushing for reforms that would result in decent work and safe migration.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has issued an administrative order directing the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to suspend the processing of Overseas Employment Certificates for deployment in Kuwait pending the investigation on the deaths of seven OFWs. 

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed concern over the recent deaths of OFWs in Kuwait and threatened to ban deployment of Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country. 

Kuwaiti deputy foreign minister Khaled Al-Jarallah expressed regret over the remarks made by Duterte and denied that Filipinos were being treated inhumanely. 

He said their foreign ministry has asked Philippine authorities to provide evidence on the supposed inhumane treatment of Filipinos, but they have yet to produce any.

“The huge expatriate community in Kuwait, including nearly 276,000 from the Philippines, testifies to the care and stability enjoyed by the expats,” he was quoted as saying in a report by state-run Kuwait News Agency. 

“The Filipino workers enjoy comfortable conditions that guarantee their rights regardless of recent unjustifiable fuss,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano last week said that there have been substantive discussions between Philippine and Kuwaiti officials regarding the matter.