Transparent PH-Kuwait deal sought

A lawmaker is seeking to publicize the newly signed labor pact between the governments of the Philippines and Kuwait for transparency.

“For the sake of transparency, public accountability and guidance for all stakeholders, especially our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), the new labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait should be published for everyone to see,” House Committee on Public Information Chairman and Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said on Friday.

The statement came after Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd announced that the officials of the two governments had signed an agreement on the proposed standard employment of OFWs in the Gulf state.

The need for a new deal emerged following the death of Jeanelyn Villavende, a domestic worker killed by her Kuwaiti employer. This prompted the Philippine government to impose a total ban on the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait.

Salo stressed that publishing the new labor deal would enable citizens and stakeholders to check if it is fair and mutually beneficial to all parties involved.

“I am cautiously optimistic the agreement will prevent OFW abuse and death in Kuwait until the public know how the agreement seeks to address this pressing concern,” he said, adding the Philippine government must have leverage.

The lawmaker also urged the government to continue to press Kuwaiti authorities “for action against the people involved in the cover up of the details of how Jeanelyn Villavende died.”

Salo is one of the authors of House Bill 5832 or “An Act Creating the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment.” The bill, which is currently pending deliberations at the plenary level, aims to create a primary agency that would see to the welfare of OFWs.