OFWs affected by visa suspension in Kuwait to get aid —DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) vowed assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the visa suspension in Kuwait and other workers in distress abroad, according to a "24 Oras" report by Oscar Oida.

A total of 815 OFWs were supposed to go to Kuwait but were suddenly stopped due to the visa suspension. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs is communicating with the Kuwaiti government to see how it can untangle the issue.

Meanwhile, the DMW said it continues to investigate the death of an OFW in Hongkong, who was seen cleaning her employer's windows when she fell.

"We had meetings with HK employees compensation office because the OFW is covered by these compensations. She is also covered by an insurance amounting to 15,000 dollars. We will facilitate these claims," DMW Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople said.

The Hong Kong government and DMW are working together for the repatriation of the victim's remains to the Philippines.

Apart from this, the DMW is also looking into the OFWs affected by the crisis in Sudan. At least 540 Filipinos have been repatriated with the help of the Egyptian government.

A number are still stuck at the Port of Sudan and needing evacuation.

On Sunday, Ople is scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia to clarify the process of claiming back the wages of more than 10,000 OFWs who were fired but not paid in 2015.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News