Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer
Migrant Workers and other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) or Philippine Shelter in Kuwait last week marked the lowest number of women under its protection and care. Philippine Labor Attaché Nasser Mustafa credits the plunge due to persistent and successive repatriation programs held since 2021, in cooperation with foreign and local recruitment agencies in Kuwait, and support of the Embassy of the Philippines. Only 18 wards are currently housed in the shelter.
Since the start of the pandemic about 400 women have taken refuge in the shelter and with regular special flights arranged by POLO from 2021 till early 2022 that totalled up to 20 flights, have resulted in the decrease in number of women in the shelter.
“This is made possible with the help of our recruitment agencies in Kuwait,” stated Labor Attaché Mustafa. Agencies have utilized their facilities to care for their deployed workers in Kuwait, which commenced a few months back. “The shelter is always open for our workers who seek refuge and is their temporary home while we work on their documents and cases,” added Mr. Mustafa.
Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait commended POLO OWWA for their efforts to resolve several issues pertaining to workers’ concerns. Indemnity or end of service benefits claims for household service workers has been the most prominent concern among others, and POLO OWWA have successfully implemented this service through dialogues with employers. “Many employers have been very cooperative and we thank them for their support to their workers, rest assured we are here to help them acquire what is rightfully theirs,” added the Labor Attaché.
