CHR calls on PH, Kuwaiti gov’t to serve justice over death of OFW

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday condemned the death of an overseas Filipina worker (OFW) in Kuwait, saying that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and the Gulf state should not remain as “a piece of document.”

CHR Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said asked the Philippine and Kuwaiti governments to “apply the fullest extent of the law” to assure that justice is served for OFW Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende who was allegedly killed by her employer.

“This violence happened in spite of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and Kuwait signed in 2018 granting better protection for the rights of Filipinos working in the Gulf state,” Gana said in a statement.

“With another episode of violence and abuse, the challenge is to ensure that the MOA does not remain a piece of document, but would genuinely translate to meaningful protection and promotion of the rights of our overseas Filipino workers,” Gana added.

Gana also urged the Kuwaiti government to fulfil their commitments under the MOA and protect the rights of Filipinos working there.

“As we call on the Kuwaiti Government to fulfill its commitments under the MOA, we likewise urge the Philippine Government to improve its mechanisms in monitoring and preventing Filipinos working abroad from being further exploited and abused,” Gana said.

The human rights commission’s spokesperson said that “closer and concrete coordination mechanisms” between the agencies tasked to protect the welfare of OFWs should be “functioning and well placed.”

Among the government agencies and institutions Gana listed were the Department of Labor and Employment and its attached agencies, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the country’s embassies.

“We condemn the gruesome death of Jeanelyn. No one should ever find themselves in harm’s way for simply seeking better opportunities abroad so that they may provide for their families and loved ones at home,” Gana said.

“For our part, CHR shall continue to monitor this case and the subsequent actions from the Philippine and Kuwaiti governments in addressing this tragedy,” Gana added.

The Philippine government is set to impose a partial deployment ban to Kuwait following the incident.

“A partial deployment ban may be the response of government as a reaction to this tragedy but a more studied and permanent solution must be found in order to put a stop to any and all forms of abuses suffered by our OFWs especially in Kuwait where we already have a MOA for the protection of our OFWs,” Gana said.