China urged to hire Pinoys amid Kuwait work ban

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has called on Beijing to accept displaced Filipinos from other parts of the world as he moves to stop what he described as “cultural insanity” against Filipino workers in the Middle East.

Duterte said his administration is ready to face the consequences of a possible deployment ban to Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries.

“If it means reduced income, (if) it will redound to a lesser GDP, then so be it,” he added, noting that he would ask China to open its doors to Philippine workers.

China earlier revealed that it plans to hire Filipino household service workers and offer high salaries.

“They need teachers and domestic helpers. And I said to them that if you can consider the Philippines, we would be glad to allow our workers to work here,” the President said.

While he lamented the possible impact of a ban in the Middle East, he stressed that he cannot allow Filipinos to suffer more than they can bear while working abroad just so their families back home would have better lives.

“I think of the loss of employment opportunities for the people. But at the same time, I grieve for Filipinos, for what they have to go through and the suffering,” Duterte said as he appealed for better working environment for all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He wanted the workers treated with dignity and respect.

“Don’t abuse them. They are not, you know, Filipino women are not merchandise (that) you buy and just do what you want. It sucks,” he said upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport before dawn yesterday.

The President also reiterated his serious concern over reports of abuses of some Filipino workers, a number of which led to suicides.

“I would like to address myself to all nations taking in Filipinos as workers. All I ask is that you treat them decently. Do not destroy their dignity as a human being,” he said.

Before he left for New Delhi last week, Duterte said he would not hesitate to call for a deployment ban and ask Filipino workers to come home. 

“I will not make a sweeping statement. There are countries that, if you are a slave bought from the slave markets or you are paid to work for them, rape is included (in) the term of agreements. It’s a cultural insanity. Don’t do it,” he said.

While he wanted to maintain good bilateral relations with all concerned countries who accommodate skilled Filipino workers, he stressed that he also wanted to take care of their welfare.

“And as a worker of government, as one who also decides whether we go there or not, I will not hesitate to lose your friendship, not at the expense of the Filipino. Do not do it…you are all moneyed, well to do. Look for some entertainment, Europe is just an hour away, do not do it to the Filipino,” the President suggested.

He pointed out that while other Philippine presidents have remained silent or never really bothered to take up the cudgels for the workers, the abuses that the workers go through at the hands of their employers are not acceptable to him.

Duterte noted that majority of those working abroad needed to leave the country due to the lack of opportunities locally.

“We accept that as a truism in today’s life of the Filipino. But it (abuse) was just never acceptable to me and to everybody else...they are driven into insanity, jump out of the windows up high. What does that indicate? It has become unbearable for a human being to live,” he lamented.

“What do you think if I’ll do that also to your citizens? Your only advantage is you have the money, actually, but whatever your God is, it’s never right to do that to a fellow human being,” he added.

Kuwaiti deputy foreign minister Khaled Al-Jarallah expressed regret over the remarks as he denied that Filipinos were being treated inhumanely. 

He added that their foreign ministry has already asked Philippine authorities to provide evidence on the supposed inhumane treatment of Filipinos.

“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.  

CHR supports ban

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is supporting the government decision to suspend the deployment of 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 this will provide stakeholders time to reflect and adopt the necessary reforms to strengthen and uphold the rights of migrant workers, especially 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. 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 said.

Gana said her office is willing to work with the departments of Foreign Affairs and of Labor and Employment as well as other agencies, civil 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 investigation on the deaths of seven OFWs. – With Janvic Mateo