Palace: Death of OFW in Kuwait 'clear disregard' of 2018 agreement

Malacañang on Wednesday decried the death of yet another Filipina worker in Kuwait as a “clear disregard” of a 2018 agreement between the Philippine and Kuwaiti government for the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers.

The “Agreement on the Employment of Domestic Workers” was inked in May 2018 following the deaths of several Filipinos in the Middle East nation.

Under the agreement employers are required to allow their Filipino workers to get at least seven hours of sleep daily and prohibits them from confiscating passports, among others.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Monday that Filipina maid Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende was allegedly killed by her own employer in Kuwait.

“We consider Jeanelyn's tragic death a clear disregard of the agreement signed by both our country and Kuwait in 2018, which seeks to uphold and promote the protection of the rights and welfare of our workers in Kuwait,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“The DFA is closely monitoring the case as we look forward to its resolution for the rendition of justice to the deceased and her family.”

Panelo said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has been ordered to provide burial and livelihood assistance as well as scholarships to the family members of the slain migrant worker.

President Rodrigo Duterte banned the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait in February 2018 over several reported deaths but lifted the order in May after the agreement was signed. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LBG, GAM News