DFA, DOLE told to protect, uphold rights of abused Kuwait OFW

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that the rights of the Filipina worker, who was reportedly raped by a Kuwaiti police officer are protected and upheld.

“We condemn this act of sexual violence allegedly committed by no less than a member of the Kuwait airport personnel,” CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said in a statement on Thursday.

“We seek justice in her behalf, and urge the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure that our aggrieved OFW’s rights are protected and upheld,” she added.

The DFA said  Chargé d’Affaires Mohd Noordin Lomondot of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait reported that local authorities have issued an arrest warrant against the rape suspect, identified as 22-year-old Fayed Naser Hamad Alajmy.

READ: Arrest warrant issued vs Kuwaiti police officer who raped Filipina — DFA 

Lomondot, the DFA noted, said that Alajmy was the one who assisted the OFW in  the finger scanning registration process at the airport when she arrived in Kuwait last June 4.

Alajmy then allegedly abducted and abused the Filipina household service worker, the DFA added.

No other details regarding the incident were made available.

While the identity of the Filipina worker should be kept private, Pimentel-Gana said the suspect must “be unmasked, arrested, and undergo court proceedings in Kuwait.”

She likewise lamented that the incident happened amid an existing bilateral labor agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait, which should have led to the increased protection of Filipino domestic workers.

Pimentel-Gana added that her office would be reaching out to the DFA and DOLE as well as the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration to further discuss the matter. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)