Pinoy couple arrested in Kuwait for encouraging OFW maids to flee employers

A Filipino couple was arrested by Kuwaiti police for allegedly encouraging fellow Filipinos working as domestic workers to escape from their employers' homes, according to a report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The report, citing a statement from the Kuwait's Ministry of Interior (MOI), said the couple admitted during interrogation to encouraging the Filipinas to escape their employers.

The couple reportedly, confessed to the "crime in addition to other similar offenses that had been committed in various regions of the country."

Investigations were launched by authorities following complaints by Kuwaiti citizens about their Filipino domestic workers being enticed to leave their employment.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs for its comments regarding the matter.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa have been summoned twice by the Kuwaiti government due to the rescue operation, videos of which were posted on the Internet.

Reports said Villa were served two protest notes by the Kuwaiti government after the videos went viral.

Talks are ongoing for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Kuwait and Philippine governments regarding the welfare of Filipinos working and living in the Arab state.

The negotiations started after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a ban on the deployment of Filipino contract workers in Kuwaiti due to numerous cases of employment abuses. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News