14 jailed OFWs in Kuwait given amnesty

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday confirmed that the Kuwaiti government gave amnesty to 14 Filipino contract workers languishing in jail for various offenses. Philippine Labor Attaché for Kuwait Leopoldo de Jesus said the 14 Filipinos were still in Sulabiya Central Jail while waiting for the needed documentation before they can be sent back to the Philippines. De Jesus said he is currently coordinating with the Philippine embassy in Kuwait to process the repatriation of the 14 overseas Filipino workers (OFW). The Filipinos were granted amnesty on the occasion of Kuwait’s Liberation Day last Feb. 26. They face different offenses such as theft, falsification of documents, drunkenness, extramarital affairs and drug use. The longest imprisonment served by the OFWs was three years on drug charges, while the shortest jail time was four months on a case of extramarital relations. DOLE Sec. Patricia Sto. Tomas lauded the Kuwaiti government's decision as she advised other OFWs to strictly observe and follow the law of the country they are in to avoid getting into trouble.-GMANews.TV