(Eagle News) — The three Filipino diplomats who were charged by Kuwait over a rescue of distressed Overseas Filipino Workers it deemed illegal are expected to be released in two to three days.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this was the assurance given by Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Al-Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, who met with Philippine representatives in the Middle Eastern country.
The meeting took place following strained relations between the two countries over the rescue, which was seen in videos allegedly disseminated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, culminating in Kuwait’s expulsion of Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa and in the recall of its Manila representative.
According to Roque, the deputy Kuwaiti foreign minister said the details of the release were “being worked out” with the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry.
Roque, however, did not say if the kidnapping charges filed against the three diplomats would be dropped.
According to Roque, Kuwait Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Sabeeh Barrak Al-Sabeeh also explained the possibility of amending the model employment contract for all household service workers working in the Gulf state.
“Under the model contract, workers would enjoy the following: one day off, a 12-hour sleep or rest period, protection from physical abuse, and the right to a decent meal,” Roque said.
She also “announced the transfer of jurisdiction over domestic helpers from the Interior Ministry to the Labor Ministry, signifying the government’s intention to subject domestic helpers to the same terms and conditions offered to skilled and semi-skilled workers,” Roque said.
According to Roque, Al-Jarallah said the Kuwaiti government would also shoulder the repatriation to the Philippines of over 500 undocumented Filipinos.
“Minister Al-Sabeeh also made mention of Kuwait’s desire to be known as a center for humanitarian concerns, adding that the mandate of the Emir of Kuwait is for all human beings in their country ‘to have a happy life,’” Roque said.