Malacañang says review of MOU with Kuwait needed as another Filipino dies in Gulf State

Malacañang on Monday said there may be a need to review the standing agreement with Kuwait for the protection of Filipino workers in the Gulf State, after a worker was found to have died at the hands of her employer.

"I think there should (be a review) because according to Secretary (Silvestre) Bello (III), there has been a breach in the agreement signed by two countries," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a press conference.

He was referring to a review on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the protection of Filipino workers signed by the Philippines in Kuwait in May 2018.

Divided into six articles, the MOU details the responsibilities of each country in ensuring that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are given their basic human and labor rights while in Kuwait.

A year after the signing, however, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that Constancia Lago Dayag, a 47-year-old OFW died at the hands of her employer.

"We will wait for the report of Secretary Bello regarding this incident," Panelo said Monday, noting that the country is still awaiting results of the investigation on the death of Dayag.

"The Secretary of Labor has already issued an official statement. He's putting the Government of Kuwait to task. He is investigating it, and DFA is waiting for an autopsy report," he elaborated.

Asked if the recent development has already President Rodrigo Duterte, Panelo said it is likely given that it has been reported by media outfits.

"Siguro he knows naman. He reads news naman," explained Panelo.

To recall, the Philippines last year implemented a deployment ban on newly hired OFWs to Kuwait due to a number of abuses, among them the killing of Joanna Demafelis whose body was found inside a freezer in an apartment previously occupied by her employes.

The ban was lifted days after the Philippines and the Arab nation inked the MOU. — RSJ, GMA News