The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is reinforcing stricter deployment measures for Filipino household workers in Kuwait after the tragic deaths of Jenny Alvarado and Dafnie Nacalaban.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized the need for stricter screening of employers to ensure they meet specific standards before hiring Filipino workers.
“The standards—qualifications, no criminal record, clear track record, and financial capacity to pay—must be checked,” Cacdac said in a televised briefing. “Our household workers are highly skilled, and not just anyone should be able to hire them.”
One of the key changes includes requiring a virtual meeting between the OFW and their prospective employer before deployment to prevent misunderstandings.
“A major issue we’ve seen is that workers sign contracts without knowing their employers. When they arrive, they have no idea about the employer’s personality, which can lead to misunderstandings and even conflicts,” Cacdac explained.
To address this, the DMW will implement a “know your employer” system, ensuring both parties meet via video call before the worker departs.
Additionally, the Philippine government will enhance monitoring efforts for longtime OFWs in Kuwait. Cacdac noted that both Alvarado and Nacalaban were returning workers who had been in the country for years.
“We will introduce a system where even those who have been there for a long time can report their situation electronically,” he said.
These new measures build on existing policies, including a ban on first-time household workers and a stricter whitelisting process for both Philippine and Kuwaiti recruiters, as well as employers with a history of labor violations.
