Kuwait not a DH-friendly nation

Camille Balagtas wrote in People's Journal, Monday, January 30, 2006 that Kuwait is not an ideal country for Filipinos to work as domestic help. I agree. But what scandalizes me is that government will go as far as banning the deployment of Filipino domestic helpers in Kuwait. Apparently and unfortunately, the dollar equivalent of potential domestic helpers in Kuwait is more important than ensuring our people will not be abused. I am not surprised, this is at the core of the "sound economic program" of the government!

Kuwait accounted for two out of five Filipina runaways who sought refuge in the country's 82 missions overseas in the second half of 2004, Senator Ralph Recto said, quoting a Department of Foreign Affairs report.

Of the 5,583 "Filipinos in distress" cases handled by Philippine consulates worldwide from July to December that year, 2122 were Filipinas who ran to Filipino diplomats in Kuwait for help.

The DFA situationer on Kuwait is contained in the 430-page "Report to Congress" which surveys working conditions in every country where Filipinos are currently working.

During that period, 1043 Filipinos, again all females were repatriated to the Philippines after they had a run-in with Kuwaiti authorities or a falling out with their employers.

One in every 12 cases of OFW repatriation last year was also from Kuwait, Recto said. In the same report, DFA said it handled 12,613 repatriation cases worldwide during the said period.

At present, an estimated 73,000 Filipinos of whom 60,000 are women and mostly domestic helpers are working in Kuwait.

The DFA report said "domestic helpers are most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse as they are not covered by Kuwait Labor Law."

"They are not allowed to use their cell phones. They usually work from early morning until late in the evening and majority do not have rest days," the report said.

Since they are not permitted to go out of their houses, their only recourse if they want to complain of the abuses of their employers is to escape. Their employer is turn files an absconding case against the DHs in the police station having jurisdiction of the residence," the report added.

During the six-month period covered by the report, the Philippine embassy in Kuwait received complaints of verbal abuse (239), "inhumane treatment" (165), "overworked" (230), "lack of food" (159), "physical maltreatment" (100), "unpaid salaries" (89), "no rest day" (72).

Seven Filipinas alleged they were sexually harassed and six complained of being raped.

"It's really a catalogue of misfortune. Eight complained of not being given quarters or bed to sleep in. There was a case of white slavery. A dozen or so were not given return tickets by their employers," he said.

According to the report, Kuwait belongs to the top three hotspots.

"Clearly, the place could be a paradise for some, especially skilled workers, and hell for others," he said.

"Diplomacy requires us to take the view that abuses are done by individuals and not sanctioned by the Kuwaiti government," Recto said.

He said problems encountered by Filipinos in Kuwait who have contributed to that country's progress should be solved through close coordination between officials of the two countries.

Recto said a study must be made by Filipino diplomatic and labor authorities "as to the peculiarities of Kuwaiti society and labor market" not just to "pinpoint and remedy any problem areas" but also to "forewarn and forearm" Filipinos who are being recruited to work there.