Cases of reported death of ofws in the past few months in Kuwait and quiet several reported maltreatment, rape and contract violation cases. It is not a secret to us how some employers in this country treat their employees, particularly those household service workers. The Kuwait government stresses out their so-called "LAW" protecting the rights of expats but it is clearly not being practiced and observed by those employers who uses their power and that makes us OFW vulnerable to maltreatment. Over the years we suffered and is still suffering. We come to this side of the planet to earn money even it means living far away to our loved ones in hopes to give them good future. We come to this country being poor and most of all we come to this country as a human being possessing all the rights to be treated humanely despite of our status in life.
No one will ever understand the situation of an ofw, without experiencing what is like to be one. Our contract is well written and is clearer than any absolute glass, signed-sealed delivered. But the moment we took our first step here, all the words that had been written on that signed-sealed delivered contract were all gone like a wind, we turned now from the hopeful individuals into desperate and vulnerable slaves. Yes, it may be painful to say the word, but that is how some nationals think. How unfortunate this world is, despite of their fast-paced country and at this computer age, they are still living in those era when rights were being categorized by races and status. It is safe to say at some point they forget to consider the law of God and nature despite religions.
Maltreatment comes with different categories, most reported cases were contract violations of employers such as, not enough rest, food, personal space and salary. Secondly, was rape cases, yes, some of male employers think that household service workers were people who does-it-all. Female workers are more prone to sexual abuses and it is nerve-wrecking to know that most of the victims don't get the right justice and that left them severe psychological effect which led to commit the worst case of suffering, "DEATH".
More than a year ago, Philippines inaugurated new president in the person of Davao city mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte as the 16th President of the Republic, majority of OFW's votes were accounted to him. Not just one or two times he spoke about the welfare of OFW's but quiet several times of his speeches, his concerns won the heart and brought hope in all filipino communities worldwide.
The recent news about banning ofw's to enter Kuwait by temporary suspension of the issuing of OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) by Department of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, following the statement made by President Duterte his plan to impose a total ban on sending workers to Kuwait because of sexual abuses and this made a roar and created headlines among Kuwait local news. The Director-General of the General Department for Residence Affairs Major-General Talal Marafie said majority of the problems and crimes against the Filipino community in Kuwait are individual. I cannot help but to raise my eye brow in regards to this statement, yes it is indeed individual caused by whom? I am not directly pointing my finger in particular but the poor execution of law in favor of the victims but instead they have been looked down.
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