PH eyes Kuwait deployment review
‘Whether or not these means should be further enhanced to provide greater accessibility and information to our OFWs who wish to transfer employment is something we will undertake and look into.’
Daily Tribune‘Whether or not these means should be further enhanced to provide greater accessibility and information to our OFWs who wish to transfer employment is something we will undertake and look into.’
The Philippine government is reviewing its deployment policies to Kuwait following the discovery of the remains of Filipina domestic worker Dafnie Nacalaban in the backyard of a Kuwaiti national.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac stated on 2 January that any decision regarding deployment will involve close discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Kuwaiti authorities.
Nacalaban had reportedly transferred employers illegally, bypassing proper protocols. Her second employer reported her missing on 16 October.
Cacdac emphasized that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) must inform the Philippine Embassy or labor attaché when transferring employers. He highlighted the availability of electronic reporting systems but acknowledged that improvements are still needed.
“Whether or not these means should be further enhanced to provide greater accessibility and information to our OFWs who wish to transfer employment is something we will undertake and look into,” Cacdac said.
In early December, Cacdac reaffirmed the DMW’s policy of prioritizing experienced OFWs for deployment to Kuwait, emphasizing the importance of giving the policy time to take effect amid reports of abuse cases.
The DMW is assisting Nacalaban’s family but has not yet provided a timeline for the repatriation of her remains, which are still under the custody of Kuwaiti authorities.
In a separate case, Cacdac confirmed that the Filipina domestic worker who allegedly killed an 18-month-old child on 26 December is under prosecution in Kuwait.
“She is entitled to a legal defense, so we have a lawyer on hand to provide legal assistance to the OFW,” Cacdac said.
He also noted that the legal defense team is currently investigating whether the Filipina may have been mentally unstable at the time of the incident.
