The Philippines urged over 6,000 remaining undocumented Filipino workers in Kuwait to enlist in the government's programme to fly them home for free or face deportation (Source: themalaymailonline)Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippinesurged over 6,000 remaining undocumented Filipino workers in Kuwait to enlist inthe government's programme to fly them home for free or face deportation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ofthe Philippines gave the illegal workers the deadline of April 12 to registerthemselves for repatriation.
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary forMigrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said the DFA is concerned about themore than 6,000 undocumented workers who still have not signed up forrepatriation.
A total of 3,668 Filipinos have been flownhome since February 11 when the Philippine embassy started repatriatingundocumented workers who availed themselves of Kuwait's amnesty programme.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait RenatoVilla stressed the need to register now, saying it takes at least 10 days toprocess the repatriation documents and get the necessary clearances fromKuwaiti authorities.
Since Kuwait announced a two-monthextension to their amnesty for overstaying foreign workers, the number ofFilipinos registering themselves with the embassy has gone down, Villa said.
There are approximately 250,000 Filipinosworking in Kuwait, 75 percent of which are domestic helpers, according togovernment records.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterteordered a ban on the sending of new workers to Kuwait last month in wake ofnumerous complaints that Filipino workers there are severely abused and maltreated.-VNA
