By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is implementing stricter measures for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) going to Kuwait to ensure their safety.
In a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Monday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said this is in response to the recent tragic cases involving OFWs.
Instead of an outright deployment ban, he said the government is enforcing tighter screening processes not only for the Filipino workers, but for their prospective employers as well.
“What is on top would be tighter deployment measures. Ang isang nakikita natin dito sa deployment ng OFWs for Kuwait, iyong worker pumipirma ng kontrata, nakapangalan doon iyong employer pero hindi niya kilala iyong employer (What we see here in the deployment of OFWs for Kuwait, the worker signs the contract, the employer is named there but the worker does not know the employer),” he said.
Cacdac said the process is “problematic” because the OFW has no idea about the employer and it might breed misunderstanding and conflicts.
“So, we are introducing what we call know your employer measures and requirements,” he said.
Under the “Know Your Employer” requirement, workers will have a mandatory video call with the employer before departure.
He said the process will familiarize both parties with each other and will reduce risks of exploitation or abuse.
“Bago pa man umalis iyong worker ay may video call na with the employer. Kita na niya iyong mukha. And actually, in fairness to the employer, vice versa, makikilala niya na rin kung sino iyong worker na papunta sa kanya (Even before the worker leaves, they will have a video call with the employer, They will see each other’s faces. And it is actually also fair to the employer as they will get to know the worker who will come to them),” he said.
Cacdac said the DMW will likewise enforce stricter employer qualifications, including background checks for any criminal records, their financial capabilities and track records in handling workers.
Meanwhile, employers and recruiters in both Kuwait and the Philippines will be subject to a whitelisting system to ensure only compliant entities can hire OFWs.
For long-time OFWs, he said the DMW is enhancing its electronic monitoring system to track their well-being.
This will include a “Kumustahan System” allowing OFWs, including returning workers, to report their conditions via text, email or social media platforms.
“Kahit na matagal na doon ay puwede pa rin silang mag-ulat sa atin para ma-monitor din natin iyong sitwasyon nila, electronically. Kailangan electronic eh, mahirap iyong manual lang, pa-isa-isang tawag. They should be able to text or send an email or a Facebook message para mas madali nating ma-monitor iyong sitwasyon nila (Even if they have been there for a long time, they can still report to us so that we can also monitor their situation, electronically. You need an electronic one, it’s hard to do it manually, one call at a time. They should be able to text or send an email or a Facebook message so that we can more easily monitor their situation),” he said. (PNA)
