Philippines urges 6,000 illegal workers in Kuwait to return home

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 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.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines gave the illegal workers the deadline of April 12 to register themselves for repatriation.

Philippine Foreign Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said the DFA is concerned about the more than 6,000 undocumented workers who still have not signed up for repatriation.

A total of 3,668 Filipinos have been flown home since February 11 when the Philippine embassy started repatriating undocumented workers who availed themselves of Kuwait's amnesty programme.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa stressed the need to register now, saying it takes at least 10 days to process the repatriation documents and get the necessary clearances from Kuwaiti authorities.

Since Kuwait announced a two-month extension to their amnesty for overstaying foreign workers, the number of Filipinos registering themselves with the embassy has gone down, Villa said.

There are approximately 250,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait, 75 percent of which are domestic helpers, according to government records.   

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a ban on the sending of new workers to Kuwait last month in wake of numerous complaints that Filipino workers there are severely abused and maltreated.-VNA