Philippine media highlighted Kuwait’s significant role in a recent dialogue led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) with recruitment agencies hiring Filipino workers in Gulf countries. The meeting focused on addressing key issues, proposing stronger safeguards, and enhancing protections for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly those employed as domestic helpers.
Key recommendations from recruitment agencies included defining clear and detailed job descriptions in contracts, reducing the contract period from two years to one, raising domestic workers’ salaries, and involving OFW families in pre-departure seminars to better understand the risks and opportunities of working abroad.
The DMW and recruitment agencies reaffirmed their shared dedication to safeguarding OFW welfare. The department committed to integrating the dialogue’s feedback into policy reforms, with plans to strengthen recruitment guidelines to prevent exploitation and abuse.
The DMW also urged recruitment agencies to closely monitor workers’ conditions, respond promptly to emergencies, and ensure safe repatriation upon contract completion. Foreign recruitment firms found violating regulations were advised to be reported to avoid future abuses.
“Our mission is not just policy creation but ensuring the safety and well-being of our workers,” said Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation for Migrant Workers, who spearheaded the dialogue. She emphasized that OFW welfare remains central to the department’s initiatives.
Caunan added that the dialogue aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to comprehensively review recruitment policies in the Gulf region, prioritizing the safety and well-being of vulnerable OFWs.
