RP-Kuwait agreement to protect OFW welfare sought
08/17/2008 | 11:09 AM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us MANILA, Philippines - An alliance of overseas Filipino workers' (OFWs) groups in the Middle East on Sunday urged the Arroyo government to forge a bilateral agreement with Kuwait to ensure the rights and welfare of migrant workers following Kuwait’s announcement to accept more OFWs.

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator for Migrante-Middle East (ME), issued the call after Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah’s reported preference for more Filipinos workers in several partnership agreements with President Arroyo.

"It is imperative that the Arroyo government and the Kuwait government, as the sending and receiving states respectively, should conclude first a bilateral agreement respecting the rights of migrant workers as embodied in the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families," Monterona said.

Migrante-ME said given the rampant labor violations and numerous abuses committed by Kuwaiti employers against migrant workers, it is only wise for the Philippine government to conclude a bilateral agreement with the Kuwaiti government.

"Aside from concluding a labor rights agreement, the Arroyo administration if it's truly cares for our OFWs, should work also for the standardization of OFWs salary in order for them also to cope with the fast rising inflation in Kuwait and even in the Philippines," Monterona added.

South Asian migrant worker as domestic helper is only receiving a monthly salary of KD25 that is equivalent to US$91.50.

Filipino domestic workers, caregivers, waiters and those working in fast-food chains and hotels are receiving a monthly salary ranging from Kuwait Dinar (KD) 70 to 85 which is about US$256 to 311, respectively. - D'Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV

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