ANOTHER Filipino overseas worker has been killed in Kuwait, her burnt remains found in a desert, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.
Citing a report from Kuwait media, the DMW identified the victim as Jullebee Ranara, a 35-year-old household service worker (HSW).
“Kuwait media reported Ranara’s burned remains were found in the desert late Sunday evening (Manila time),” the DMW said in a statement.
In 2020, another Pinoy HSW, Jeanelyn Villavende, was also found dead in Kuwait, allegedly brutally killed by her employers.
The Department is still waiting for an official report from Kuwaiti authorities.
“The DMW is closely monitoring developments on this case alongside the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) in working with Kuwaiti authorities,” said the DMW.
The Kuwait media report said a burnt corpse with a smashed head, which turned out to be a Filipino woman, was found in Salmi Road, Kuwait.
A subsequent autopsy report established the victim was pregnant and that the DNA samples matched with that of a 17-year-old Kuwaiti.
Local media reports said the accused has confessed to the crime but added investigations are still underway to find his motive.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople condemned, saying they are one with the family of Ranara in crying for justice over her death.
“The entire DMW condemns this heinous crime, and urges the Kuwaiti government to work on the early resolution of the case and its perpetrators brought to justice,” said Ople.
The DMW chief personally visited the family of Ranara “somewhere in Metro Manila” to offer the DMW’s condolences.
“We informed them that the DMW will provide them all the necessary support they need at this time of grief,” said Ople.
DEPLOYMENT SLOWDOWN
Amid the high number of distressed OFWs in Kuwait, a recruitment analyst pushed for a slowdown in the deployment of migrants in the Middle East state.
Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said it would be good for the Philippine government to consider temporarily limiting OFW deployment to Kuwait.
“The Departments of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Foreign Affairs (DFA) should evaluate the present situation in Kuwait for our OFWs, and if a limited deployment should be implemented to stem the tide of distressed workers in Kuwait,” said Geslani.
He said the high number of distressed OFWs, particularly household service workers (HSWs), in Kuwait can no longer be overlooked.
Their complaints range from maltreatment, verbal or physical abuse, delayed salaries, poor working conditions, sexual harassment, and violations of their employment contract.
“Government should take a deeper look into the deployment of HSWs as a number of Filipina maids continue to seek shelter and refuge at the welfare center in Kuwait,” said Geslani.
Back in early 2020, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued a total deployment ban in Kuwait after the brutal killing of HSW Jeanelyn Villavende allegedly at the hands of her employers.
Weeks later, the POEA lifted the deployment ban and has since resumed the processing and deployment of HSWs there.
Geslani’s call comes on the heels of the presence of 421 distressed OFWs at the “Bahay Kalinga” shelter in Kuwait.
This has prompted the DMW to conduct a mass repatriation of distressed OFWs, with some 300 to 350 workers expected to return home by the end of the month.
