The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), led by the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs (OMWA) and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, continues to work closely with Kuwaiti authorities in ensuring the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of around 252,200 overseas Filipinos in Kuwait.
Since the implementation of the deployment ban against Kuwait, a team of around 20 DFA personnel swiftly facilitated the ongoing repatriation of more than a thousand distressed overseas Filipino workers, most of whom work as household service workers.
DFA-OMWA negotiated with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines in transporting the said OFWs back to the Philippines as well as to their home provinces free of charge. The repatriated OFWs also received Php 5,000 each in financial assistance to help them resettle in the country while they seek other employment opportunities.
For its part, the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) team of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait quickly responded to the call of distressed OFWs and led numerous rescue operations. The Embassy facilitated the acquisition of proper documentary requirements such as exit visas for OFWs, especially those who have been categorized as undocumented workers, to ensure their safe return.
The massive repatriation of OFWs from Kuwait was sparked by the discovery of the remains of OFW Joanna Daniela Demafelis stuffed inside a freezer. DFA-OMWA and the Embassy immediately conducted investigations as soon as reports of Demafelis’ demise surfaced.
DFA-OMWA and the Embassy facilitated the recovery and repatriation of Demafelis’ remains and are coordinating closely with Kuwaiti authorities in helping her family seek justice. END