MANILA – Sixty-two more distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Kuwait arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on board Qatar Airways flight QR 934 Monday.
They are part of the more than 4,000 OFWs already repatriated since the implementation of a deployment ban to Kuwait last February.
President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to work on the repatriation due to reports of maltreatment and abuse.
For instance, Joanna Demafelis, a domestic helper in Kuwait, was killed and found inside a freezer. Her employers, the primary suspects, were recently sentenced to death by Kuwaiti authorities.
The Philippine government gave financial assistance to Demafelis’ kin. They also received scholarships from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Every repatriated OFW is also entitled to receive financial assistance from the government upon their return to the Philippines. They need to coordinate with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional offices regarding this.
The DFA earlier said it targets to repatriate 10,000 OFWs by April 22, which is the deadline for the extension for amnesty.
OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac reminded all OFWs on Friday about their right to seek help from the government if they experience abuse and maltreatment abroad.
“They could also use social media to report their situation,” he said. (PNA)
