The Philippine and Kuwaiti governments have agreed that domestic workers should be paid a minimum salary of 120 dinars – US$400 – a month.
In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said domestic workers in Kuwait will be given a minimum monthly salary of 120 dinars (US$400) with at least eight hours’ rest per day.
The agreement will also allow them to retain their passports and phones – but Filipinos are only permitted to work at one household.
Foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said there should be more pragmatic measures included in the bilateral labor agreement with Kuwait before Manila lifts its ban on Filipinos being allowed to work there.
“We hope to incorporate more practical measures that would better protect our countrymen working there from exploitation and abuse,” he said.
Cayetano said he would recommend that domestic workers be paid by direct transfer of their salary to their bank accounts.
“This will ensure that our countrymen do not get shortchanged and will receive the salary they originally signed up for,” he said.
The conditions and welfare of Filipino workers have come under the spotlight because of the high incidence of abuse in Kuwait, as well as high-profile murders and deaths, which caused President Duterte to put a stop on Filipinos going to work in the small Gulf state.
Cayetano said he also wants to see an effective mechanism that would allow Filipino workers to file complaints directly with Kuwaiti authorities. He said there had been instances of employers trying to preempt cases against them by filing false charges such as theft against their Filipino employees.
Read: Kuwait ensures Filipino maids can keep phones, passports
Read: Kuwait, Philippines to ensure maids’ protection in new pact
Buti Kung l house work d dalhin sa kpatid say nsnay at work dto o Doon oras Lang tulog pahinga Ng ofw iba mayabang abroad pero d nila Alam hirap dnadanas Ng abroad
Kahit saang bansa ganyan ang nakasaad sa aming mga contrata. Nasa amo na kung maawain at lampas 8 hours ang ibibigay. Napakahirap ng buhay abroad kaya sana maiintindihan ng pamilya na nasa pilipinas na sana wag maging pabaya sa pag gastos ng pera.
Ano ba yan, 8 hours rest per day. Ibig sabihin, 16 hours/day ang trabaho. Grabe naman ang pahirap na yan. Sa kikitain mong pera, mapunta lang sa pampadoktor at bili ng gamot. Ang tao kailangan at least 8 hours ang tulog sa isang araw.