Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer
Philippines Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Welfare Officer Atty. Llewelyn Perez warns household workers not to engage in residency trade or cash in exchange of release from employer and work outside bearing article 20 visa for illegal companies set up from food to sanitary services. Such cases are not allowed by Kuwait and visa 20 holders caught on this unlawful loop will face legal repercussions along with employers involved.
In several cases appealed by Filipino household helpers to OWWA included workers bearing Visa 20 urged by illegal recruiters to escape from employers’ house with promises of visa transfer to Article 18, stable salaries via legal processes and end up being abused, exploited, and forced to work long working hours and face nonpayment of salaries. Employers demand high prices in exchange of release or allow workers to perform outside work for fees and several companies who assume these workers are often unregistered and illegally operating. In several cases moreover should the workers request to leave or transfer work the companies demand amounts from 750 to 1,500 Kuwaiti Dinars leaving workers no choice but forced to continue working.
“I currently work for a company and I wanted to leave and transfer to work for another with better and stable work but my current employer refuse unless I pay 1,500 Kuwaiti Dinars” added Eliza. She told The Times that their jobs are on call and salary is meager and hardly insufficient to support her family, she still wanted to stay and work but for better income. Liza sought the assistance of OWWA and officers explained to her the repercussion of her actions.
Atty. Perez added that many regret leaving their household jobs and in some cases many are caught and end in jail later face deportation. “There is no such a law in Kuwait that allows transfer of article 20 to article 18 and holders of article 20 intended for household helpers and laborers should remain in their jobs and these cases are not allowed to work outside. We also cannot condone to these violations and must follow and respect the set of laws of Kuwait” added Atty. Perez. She further warned household helpers not be lured by illegal recruiters who often use the social media and sadly other Filipinos who are engaged in this illegal practices. “Do not believe in the promises of these recruiters or friends and later regret your decisions. All those in such situations should approach OWWA immediately and report as well employers, individuals, agencies and illegal companies operating and involved in such unlawful practices” stated Atty. Perez. Once you violate the law you lose your legal rights” ended Atty. Perez.