The OFWs’ contribution to our economic survival is beyond doubt heroic when we remember that far too many of them must work under oppressive conditions. Among the most exploited are the thousands of Filipinas “in distress” in Kuwait.
The Kuwait situation is contained in a 430-page submission by the Department of Foreign Affairs titled “Report to Congress,” which surveyed working conditions in all countries where Filipinos work. Excerpts from the report were circulated to the press by Sen. Ralph Recto recently.
An estimated, 73,000 Filipinos—60,000 of them women, mostly domestic helpers (DHs)—are working in Kuwait. According to DFA, Kuwait accounted for two out of five Filipino runaways who sought refuge in our 82 missions overseas in the second half of 2004. Of the 5,583 cases of “Filipinos in distress” handled by our consulates worldwide from July to December 2004, exactly 2,122 were DHs who ran to Filipino diplomats in Kuwait for help.
During the same period 1,043 Filipinas were repatriated after they ran afoul of Kuwaiti law or had a falling out with their employers. One in every 12 cases of OFW repatriation last year was also from Kuwait. The DFA said it handled 12, 613 repatriation cases worldwide during the same period.
The DFA report said, “Domestic helpers are the most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse as they are not covered by the Kuwait Labor Law.”
It added: “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. 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 employers in turn file absconding cases against the DHs.”
During the six-month period covered by the report, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait received complaints of verbal abuse (239), “inhumane treatment” (165), “overwork” (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 rape. These incidents do not qualify as “isolated cases.”
One of the Filipinas who found herself in distress, Marilou Ranario, is set to be executed after she was found guilty by a Kuwaiti court of killing her female employer last year. Without condoning the crime she was found guilty of, it should not be too hard to imagine what drove Ranario to murder.
“It’s really a catalogue of misfortune,” said Recto.
The senator might as well have added that we are a nation that has managed to remain economically afloat in a sea of OFW blood, sweat and tears. To be sure, that is not a novel insight—but what have we been doing to put an end to it?
The Kuwait situation is contained in a 430-page submission by the Department of Foreign Affairs titled “Report to Congress,” which surveyed working conditions in all countries where Filipinos work. Excerpts from the report were circulated to the press by Sen. Ralph Recto recently.
An estimated, 73,000 Filipinos—60,000 of them women, mostly domestic helpers (DHs)—are working in Kuwait. According to DFA, Kuwait accounted for two out of five Filipino runaways who sought refuge in our 82 missions overseas in the second half of 2004. Of the 5,583 cases of “Filipinos in distress” handled by our consulates worldwide from July to December 2004, exactly 2,122 were DHs who ran to Filipino diplomats in Kuwait for help.
During the same period 1,043 Filipinas were repatriated after they ran afoul of Kuwaiti law or had a falling out with their employers. One in every 12 cases of OFW repatriation last year was also from Kuwait. The DFA said it handled 12, 613 repatriation cases worldwide during the same period.
The DFA report said, “Domestic helpers are the most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse as they are not covered by the Kuwait Labor Law.”
It added: “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. 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 employers in turn file absconding cases against the DHs.”
During the six-month period covered by the report, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait received complaints of verbal abuse (239), “inhumane treatment” (165), “overwork” (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 rape. These incidents do not qualify as “isolated cases.”
One of the Filipinas who found herself in distress, Marilou Ranario, is set to be executed after she was found guilty by a Kuwaiti court of killing her female employer last year. Without condoning the crime she was found guilty of, it should not be too hard to imagine what drove Ranario to murder.
“It’s really a catalogue of misfortune,” said Recto.
The senator might as well have added that we are a nation that has managed to remain economically afloat in a sea of OFW blood, sweat and tears. To be sure, that is not a novel insight—but what have we been doing to put an end to it?
posted by Ben Rivard @ 1:51 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
If you are in Kuwait, PLEASE take your unwanted clothing (for ladies) and toiletry items to the Philippines embassy in Jabriya (Phones 5329316 / 5329318).
At any given time, there are usually close to 200 domestic helpers who have left their employers and are awaiting documentation to get home. Most of these ladies have left their employers with only the clothes on their backs - and without passports. On average, it takes 75 days to obtain new travel documentation, so they appreciate all the humanitarian assistance they can get.
Hey fast query relating to this program. I understand that is a
late reply, but is this linear or ramping weights?
Also visit my homepage: six pack shortcuts workout sheet
Superspeed is beneficial if it is possible to FLY also, andre!
Shockwaves won't function and you know it. Superman could easily dodge about hulk, if he at any time tried any shockwave things, he could simply hover in theair, if he wasn't currently.
By the way, yeah that was really cute, the hulk holding up the world.
Superman has really punched a hole via the time dimension and was sent 83200 many years
into the future. He also did this in a weakened state.
You know, I feel that trumps holding up the world (which superman could easily do).
my web site secrets of superman stamina revealed part 1.m4v
It's hard to find experienced people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks
Also visit my site :: how to buy vigrx plus in australia ()
Post a Comment
<< Home