Several outbound Overseas Filipino Workers don’t agree with the recent temporary deployment ban implemented for first-time OFWs going to Kuwait.
According to a GMA report, a number of Filipinos who had been traveling to Kuwait expressed their dismay at the recent temporary deployment ban on first-time OFWs, notably household service workers.
Rubylyn Samuyag, one of the outbound OFWs barred from leaving the country, claimed that while completing her application to move to Kuwait, she racked up a mountain of debt and that she would only require an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) once her recruitment firm had located a job for her. She expected to make $400 a month working as a domestic helper in Kuwait.
“Three months na po kami dito. Para makatulong po kami sa pamilya namin, yung papa ko na may sakit, tapos po makapag-aral ‘yung mga kapatid ko at saka yung pamaangkin ko at aking anak,” Samuyag said.
It can be recalled that a deployment ban was imposed due to the recent heinous crime perpetrated towards a Filipina identified as Jullebee Ranara.
“Tayo po ay magbibigay ng paraan, magrerekomenda po tayo kung saan po natin pwede silang ipadala,” says the DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia.
Prior to that, the DMW suggested Singapore and Hong Kong as possibilities for employment. The Philippine Association of Service Exporters Incorporated is also considering this idea.
“Marami pong pangangailangan sa Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia and then Taiwan for care workers, and we also have Dubai,” said Raquel Bracero, PASEI President.
In Taiwan and Hong Kong, the salary of domestic workers can go up to $500, an amount totally higher than the ones offered in Kuwait.
However, one factor that keeps Filipinos from entering Hong Kong is the huge placement fee that they need to secure. Kuwait doesn’t require this placement fee.
“May mga trabaho na din kami dito, hindi po talaga kasya yung mga sahod namin,” said Merivic Ombrete Cunag, one of the OFWs affected by the temporary deployment ban.
