THE decision of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to suspend the deployment of first-time domestic helpers to Kuwait will affect an estimated 47,000 household service workers (HSWs).
In a televised public briefing yesterday, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the estimated figures will match the total number of HSWs deployed to Kuwait last year if the suspension lasts for a year.
“Last year, there were about 47,000 HSWs that were deployed to Kuwait. We expect that around the same figure may potentially be affected for a period of one year,” Cacdac said.
Recruitment analyst Emmanuel Geslani said the temporary suspension will immediately affect the scheduled departure of some 5,000 newly-hired domestic workers.
“This would affect the deployment of 5,000 HSWs bound for Kuwait. It is also a serious blow to local agencies deploying to Kuwait,” Geslani said, adding the recruitment industry was caught by surprise by the DMW decision.
“The private agencies deploying to Kuwait were not consulted by the DMW on the deferment of new hires. They have already mobilized 5,000 new workers for the next two months,” said Geslani.
He said the recruitment industry is calling on the DMW to allow the deployment of the 5,000 HSWs in the pipeline.
“The agencies are requesting that those workers who have been processed and issued Overseas Employment Certificates should be allowed to depart to fulfill their contracts in Kuwait,” said Geslani.
Last Wednesday, the DMW announced the temporary suspension of the deployment of newly-hired HSWs to Kuwait in the wake of the killing of Jullebee Ranara.
Ranara’s burnt remains were found in a Kuwaiti desert, with the 17-year-old son of her employer having been arrested and tagged as the prime suspect.
Included in the deployment suspension are those who have yet to work as HSWs or have worked as HSWs but not in Kuwait.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople said the suspension will remain in effect until a better monitoring and response system is put in place in the revised bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait.
In its Advisory No. 05-2023, the DMW said the temporary suspension of deployment is “effective immediately.”
“It is the utmost consideration of the Department to ensure the safety and well-being of workers with vulnerable occupations, particularly the first-time domestic workers, and that they are properly and promptly protected while deployed at the jobsite,” the DMW said.
