KUWAIT: Philippines Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac visited a shelter for expat workers in Kuwait and praised the rehabilitation and social services provided to the female inmates. The visiting Philippines official was received by the acting head of Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower Rabab Al-Ossaimi, who briefed Cacdac with the legal and social services provided to the inmates at the center. The visit took place on Saturday.
Since its establishment in 2010, the center, located in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, has received thousands of female workers, mainly domestic helpers, who face problems with their employers. The center provides rehabilitation services to the inmates, which helps a majority of them to return to the domestic labor market.
Cacdac expressed his appreciation of the efforts exerted by the center’s officials to enhance social protection for distressed expat workers and enhance their labor rights. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between his country and Kuwait, home to over 230,000 Filipino workers, regarding the welfare and care for migrant workers.
Over 700,000 expat domestic helpers work in Kuwait, the overwhelming majority of them Asian, mainly from India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Many workers who face problems with their employers are sheltered in the center until they either repatriated to their home countries or sent back to the local market after rehabilitation and legal assistance.
During the past several years, relations between Kuwait and the Philippines were strained a number of times over alleged abuse of Filipino workers and demands by the Philippine government. About two years ago, Kuwait slapped a total ban on the recruitment of Filipino workers following a standoff with their government. But the problem was resolved and Filipinos have been allowed into the country.
