The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has started reviewing the guidelines of deployment of workers in Kuwait due to cases of deaths of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including Jenny Alvarado and Dafnie Nacalaban.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the review will lead to implementation of safety measures to further ensure strengthened protection for OFWs in Kuwait.

“The DMW is currently reviewing its deployment policies to take necessary actions, whether to restrict or take more stringent measures in ensuring the safety and welfare of OFWs, particularly the domestic workers,” said Cacdac.

The review also covers those who are already working in Kuwait, according to Cacdac.  

Calls for government intervention to protect OFWs in Kuwait recently amplified after the death of Alvarado who died due to suffocation from burning coal, and Nacalaban, who went missing for two months and was reportedly found dead.

The DMW has been providing all the necessary assistance and other forms of support to the families during this time of grief. 

The DMW is also following further investigations on the cases of the OFWs in pursuing justice for their deaths, as well as the legal liabilities of the concerned service provider for the erroneous repatriation of Alvarado.  

Amid calls for a deployment ban to Kuwait, Cacdac said the DMW prohibits the deployment of first-time OFWs or OFWs without prior experience working overseas.

“What we have now is the deferment of first-time OFWs with no overseas experience. We are also implementing the whitelisting and blacklisting of Kuwaiti recruiters, pre-departure briefings, and electronic on-site monitoring,” said Cacdac.

“Everybody goes through pre-departure briefings, and so we know their contact numbers. We meet them personally before they leave,” he added.