Philippines Urged to Rethink Kuwait Ban Over Maid's Death -

Philippines Urged to Rethink Kuwait Ban Over Maid’s Death

  • Published on
    May 23, 2019
  • Written by:
    Jamison Liang
  • Category:
    Domestic Slavery, Law & Policy
Hero Banner

Migrant rights NGOs and activists are urging the Philippines to not impose a labor migration ban on Filipinos going to work in Kuwait. They say it will only fuel human trafficking.

Last week Constancia Lago Dayag, a Filipino domestic worker, died in Kuwait. It is believed she was assaulted and sexually abused.

Take Action: Help Stop Domestic Slavery

This follows the gruesome murder of a Filipino worker whose body was found in a freezer. This case prompted the Philippines to implement a temporary migration ban against Kuwait last year. The ban was lifted after the Philippines and Kuwait signed a labor agreement to regulate employment.

The Philippines’ labor chief says the government is considering reinstating the ban. However, it is being met with opposition from migrant workers.

Thomson Reuters Foundation reports:

“A deployment ban itself is not effective, it won’t stop the abuse,” said Arman Hernando from Migrante International, an alliance of more than 200 groups representing Filipino workers.

The Philippines has about 10 million Filipinos working overseas, mostly in construction, nursing, entertainment and domestic help. Labour rights campaigners say low-paid workers risk abuse but are lured by the promise of better job prospects.

Hernando said a ban would only fuel trafficking as desperate workers would continue to search for jobs in oil-rich Kuwait.

“Even if there is a deployment ban, many workers will still travel abroad quietly, because there are simply not enough employment opportunities at home,” the vice chairman told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Manila.

NGO Migrant Forum in Asia reiterated that call. They are asking the government to “find another way” to protect migrant workers.

“The temporary deployment ban…does not help solve the problem,” they said.

According to the Philippine foreign ministry, there are over 260,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait. Domestic workers make up more than 65% of them.

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

guest
1 Comment
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
john
john
4 years ago

how many deaths must be counted before these barbaric middle-east counties STOP killing and exploiting foreign labour??????? where is ALLAH?????????

This week

Migrant workers jailed in Qatar over demands for owed wages

Five months on from the World Cup final, migrant workers continue to report exploitative labor practices and mistreatment at the hands of Qatari authorities. Three former security guards have been jailed in Qatar for four months following their repeated requests for unpaid wages from their employer, Stark Security Services. Though lauded by FIFA as an opportunity to improve Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, workers who toiled to make the world’s

| Friday May 26, 2023

Read more