Phl eyes Kuwait labor agreement review
Marcos assured the bereaved family that his government will help Ranara’s dreams for them to come true
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday revealed that the Philippines is “scheduling bilateral meetings” with the Kuwait agreement to revisit their labor agreement.
“We have to see if there are weaknesses in the agreement that allow this to happen and to make sure that those weaknesses are remedied so that the agreement is stronger and will be more supportive of our workers,” Marcos said in an ambush interview during his visit to the wake of slain overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara.
“Furthermore, we hope this will not happen again to anyone of our countrymen,” he added.
Joining the President in the wake was Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople.
Marcos assured the bereaved family that his government will help Ranara’s dreams for them to come true and among the government assistance that the government can give are scholarships for Ranara’s children.
In other developments, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah condemned the murder of Ranara who died at the hands of her Kuwaiti employer’s son.
In a statement released on Sunday night, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait said Sheikh Salem issued the remarks during his meeting with Philippine Charge d’ Affaires to Kuwait Jose A. Cabrera III at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“He condemned her murder and said that the perpetrator, who has been arrested and is currently in detention, will be punished for this heinous crime,” Cabrera said.
He said Sheikh Salem also asked him to convey his deepest condolences to the family and the Philippine government on the brutal and tragic death of Ranara.
“Sheikh Salem added that the actions of the perpetrator do not in any way reflect the character and values of Kuwaiti society, the Kuwaiti people, and the Kuwaiti government,” Cabrera said.
Meantime, the Philippine Charge d’ Affaires to Kuwait expressed appreciation for the cooperation and assistance of Kuwaiti authorities, particularly for the swift action and response in the apprehension of the suspect and the clearances for the shipment of Ranara’s remains.
Sheikh Salem said the MOFA will provide the Philippine Embassy with all necessary assistance as it continues to monitor Ranara’s case.
During their meeting, Cabrera said he also informed Sheikh Salem that, based on statements by Ople, there is no ban on deployment to Kuwait.
The two diplomats also discussed bilateral relations between the Philippines and Kuwait and expressed a mutual commitment to closer dialogue and engagement between the two countries, especially in the coming
months.