Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa on Sunday, April 22, said around 5,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait were not able to register to the amnesty program of the Arab state and the Philippine government’s repatriation efforts.
In an interview with Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson posted on the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s Facebook account, Villa said more than 5,000 OFWs have repatriated to the Philippines since the beginning of the program. The remaining 5,000 stayed in Kuwait and applied for part-time jobs.
“Ayon sa kanila ayaw pa nilang umuwi at magbabakasakali sila kahit may malawakang crackdown sa undocumented,” the Philippine ambassador said.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola also told Uson, in a separate interview, that three more batches of OFWs from Kuwait will arrive until Monday.
The registration for the amnesty program, which ends today, April 22, aims to allow undocumented OFWs to repatriate to the Philippines without facing any criminal charges.
After the deadline, Villa said Kuwaiti authorities may conduct door-to-door visits to hunt undocumented workers.
The Philippine Embassy has coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to shorten the period arrested OFWs should spend in prison. They are also expecting OFWs who will seek help during the arrests.
“Kahit matapos ang amnesty period, aking ipinaaabot sa mga kababayan natin sa Kuwait na patuloy na tutulong tayo sa ating mga kababayan dito para sila ay makauwi at iyong mga suliranin sa kanilang employer ay pinaigting ang rescue operations ng embassy,” Villa said.
