On Monday, Senator Joel Villanueva called for an urgent review of agreements between the Philippines and other countries to protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). His statement comes in the wake of two tragic deaths of Filipino women working in Kuwait, which have brought attention to the ongoing issue of maltreatment and abuse faced by OFWs.
Senator Villanueva, who leads the Senate Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development Committee, expressed deep concern over the situation. He strongly condemned the abuse and deaths of OFWs, saying, “The government must stop the abuse in its tracks by strengthening recruitment policies and ensuring that host countries comply with bilateral agreements on the welfare and rights of OFWs.”
Agreements to Protect OFWs
In 2018, the Philippines and Kuwait signed a bilateral labor agreement to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino workers in Kuwait. This agreement was renewed in 2021 to continue protecting OFWs. Some of the key provisions include:
- Allowing OFWs to keep their passports and mobile phones, ensuring their freedom to communicate.
- Guaranteeing that employers provide food, housing, and health insurance.
Despite these agreements, Villanueva emphasized that the Philippines cannot keep relying on a “ban-lift-ban cycle” of OFW deployment. This refers to the practice of banning and later lifting bans on sending workers to countries where abuse is rampant. He urged the government to ensure a more permanent and effective solution.
Villanueva’s Vision for OFW Safety
The senator highlighted the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of OFWs, saying, “Every OFW we allow to work in a foreign land must be assured of a safe workplace, decent living conditions, timely payment of correct wages and benefits, and must be able to return to their families alive and with a gainful income worthy of their sacrifices.”
The Tragic Deaths of Two Filipinas
Two recent incidents in Kuwait underscore the urgent need for stricter protections:
- Jenny Alvarado, an OFW, tragically lost her life on January 2, 2024, due to coal smoke inhalation. Reports indicate that she, along with her Nepalese and Sri Lankan co-workers, died while at their workplace in Kuwait.
- Dafnie Nacalaban, another OFW, was reported missing by her employer in October 2024. Sadly, her body was found two months later in a decomposed state in the home of a Kuwaiti individual.
What’s Next?
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has expressed that it may consider banning the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait once again, depending on further investigations and developments.
Senator Villanueva’s call for action serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of OFWs who leave their families behind in search of better opportunities abroad. Strengthening laws and agreements to protect them is critical to ensuring their safety and well-being.
