Duterte seeks more benefits for OFWs in Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — After imposing a deploy­ment, President Duterte is demanding more guarantees and benefits before sending Filipino workers to Kuwait again as part of a government-to-government agreement between the two countries.

Duterte said he conferred with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III last Tuesday night to include his demands in the final draft of the accord to ensure the protection and benefits overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will get from their employers in Kuwait.

“I demanded that it will be a contract of government-to-government and that there will be some mandatory provisions like they should be allowed to sleep at least seven hours a day,” Duterte said during graduation ceremonies of the Philippine National Police Academy’s Maragtas Class of 2018 in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Duterte earlier blew his top after he learned about the brutal death of Filipino domestic helper Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found inside the freezer of her employer’s abandoned house.

Duterte also wants fair and just treatment for OFWs by giving them nutritious food and decent lodging. 

“We will not allow leftovers to be eaten by our countrymen. They should be allowed to cook on their own, then there will be no confiscation of passports by the employers,” he said.

“And fifth is that they should be allowed holidays and everything,” the President said.

Duterte said he wants all OFWs in Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries to receive proper compensation and benefits package. 

Negotiations between the Philippines and Kuwait for a “model” labor agreement that would provide strong guarantees on the safety and welfare of Filipino domestic workers started last Thursday. 

An eight-member Kuwaiti delegation arrived in Manila for the negotiations last week on the proposed “Agreement on Domestic Workers’ Recruitment, Employment and Protection Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Kuwait.”

“I do not mean to offend (foreign countries)… for employing Filipinos abroad. I have said that we are not slaves. Their only fault would be (that they are) in your country because we are just poor,” the President said.

Duterte reminded leaders of Middle Eastern countries how the Philippines extended help during the times they were in trouble and that it was just proper for Filipinos get fair treatment in return.

Duterte lamented that the Philippines had been getting unfair treatment despite the contribution of Philippine troops during the wars in those areas.

“We did not get anything after all these years of sacrifice except brutality and agony. We will stand on our own even if we don’t have money,” Duterte said, joking that he would print five sacks of money for each and every Filipino to lift them up from poverty.

“And we will never beg for any help. Sometimes it would mean really the dignity of the people,” he said. – Pia Lee-Brago, Mayen Jaymalin