The first batch of stranded Filipino domestic helpers were repatriated to the Philippines this week after spending several months in cramped government shelters in Kuwait, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday.
Most of these Filipinos, who have ran away from their abusive employers, were stranded for more than a year and can not go back to the Philippines due to lack of exit visas from the Kuwaiti government. The repatriation cost will be shouldered by Kuwaiti authorities.
Kuwait Towers in Kuwait City. Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maistora/
The DFA said 200 more are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) said the first batch of household service workers, totaling 67, arrived on June 6 and 7.
A team from OUMWA, led by Officer in Charge Enrico Fos and representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ( OWWA) welcomed and assisted the Filipino workers upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Fos said the repatriation for the remaining two batches, consisting of 78 and 129 household service workers, is being finalized.
“The mass repatriation is made possible through the cooperation between the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment, as well as the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Embassy and OWWA with the Kuwait Ministry of Labor,” Fos said.
Source: People’s Daily Online
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September 15, 2010 at 3:59 pm
TO: RP Consulate, CC: KSA GovernmentGreetings! We are begging for your help to assist those remaining OFW whom you promised to send them back here in the Philippines. Some of them has been successfully returned back with their families in the Philippines but let's not forget that there are nth of Filipinos who were waiting in jailed and hoping that the Ph Consulate will grant their vital request, and that is to "SEND THEM BACK IN THE PH).The RP Government has allotted PHP10million to help them in their way home. It took them years in Jeddah, roaming around the street, jobless, homeless or better to say LESS in all and the only thing left to them is their self.All Filipinos watched it on national TV the pitiful conditions of those OFW , lying on ground inside the jail without cover underneath, its barely cement, muddled up, and fortunate if they can drink water I a day. Every Filipinos feels sad in their situations regardless if these are they family or not. PLEASE SEND THEM HOME.We wish to hear feedback from you and a great help soon. Thankfully Yours, Rose Lyn FranciscoConcerned Citizen