Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to work in Kuwait were quick to seek for job opportunities at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) office following the lifting of the deployment ban to the Gulf state.
Mabelle San Juan, an aspiring OFW, was elated about the news, saying the long wait for the lifting of the ban is finally over.
“Panatag na loob namin na makakapaghanapbuhay na ulit kami. Para sa pamilya namin. Tapos na ang pagtitiis sa ban,” San Juan told ABS-CBN News.
Another OFW, Jonalyn Ulgalde, said that despite the difficulty of being away from family, she is still keen to work in Kuwait because of attractive compensation.
“Mahirap dito eh. Doon malaki ang kita,” Ulgalde said.
The deployment ban was imposed in February after the murder of OFW Joanna Demafelis whose body was found stuffed inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait.
The discovery prompted the two countries to draft an agreement that will protect the welfare of the OFWs in Kuwait, which was signed on May 12.
Under the labor deal, domestic helpers need to be provided with proper clothing, food, and accommodation. They should also be allowed to keep their cellphones so they could call for help in cases of emergency. Aside from these, they must be allowed to have a minimum of 8 hours of sleep and ample food.
OFWs will likewise be asked to have their passports deposited at the Philippine Embassy.
The Kuwaiti government has agreed to create a special unit within their police force which the Philippine Embassy can coordinate with in times of emergency calls from OFWs.
A special phone number for OFW assistance will likewise be set up.
Following the signing of the labor deal, the deployment ban was partially lifted for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
