After weeks of diplomatic ruckus over the death and abuse and rescue of distressed overseas Filipino workers, Malacañang said Saturday that the relationship between the Philippines and Kuwait is back on track.
Roque, in a press briefing late Saturday night, said that the signing of the “Agreement on the Employment of Domestic Workers between the Philippines and Kuwait” signifies that the Philippines and Kuwait are now willing to put the past behind.
“Normal na po ang samahan ng Philippines at Kuwait. Ang hinihintay lang po talaga ng parehong panig ay ‘yung paglagda ng Memorandum of Agreement,” he said.
“‘Yung paglagda pong ‘yan ay ‘yung senyales na both agreed to move on with our relationship at we have both learned from the experience and the experience will make our friendship and ties with Kuwait even stronger as in the past,” Roque added.
Under the agreement, Filipino household service workers are now allowed to use their cellular phones and other similar gadgets to be able to communicate with their loved ones in the Philippines, open their own bank accounts, and enjoy a one full day off from work, among others.
Roque, along with Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, returned to the country Saturday night after witnessing the signing of the accord to protect OFWs, particularly household service workers.
They were joined by 87 undocumented OFWs who were allowed by Kuwait to return home. However, there are still 644 undocumented Filipinos left in Kuwait. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
