Kuwait City - A Filipino overseas workers' organization based in the Middle East wants the Arroyo government to formally ask the Kuwaiti government to reconsider extending its amnesty period that will end on Oct 15, 2008. "Migrante-Middle East is urging the Arroyo government to formally ask the Kuwaiti government to reconsider extending its amnesty period beyond Oct 15, 2008 deadline so that undocumented OFWs are given considerable time to legalize their status," said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, in a statement sent to the Arab Times.
Migrante-ME was prompted to issue the call for an extension of the amnesty period provided by the Kuwait Interior Ministry after the ministry Public Relations department chief Colonel Mohammed Al-Saber announced on Thursday that the ministry has no intention of extending the grace period. Migrante-ME said there are an estimated 20,000 OFWs illegally staying now in Kuwait. "For humanitarian reasons, we are calling the Kuwaiti government to reconsider extending the amnesty period until the end of October," Monterona added. Monterona further said the extension of amnesty is in the best interests of OFWs and other migrants illegally staying in Kuwait.
Migrante-ME said it has noticed that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait had failed to work for the legalization of those who would like to avail the opportunity and repatriation of those who are already in deportation centers and in fact are only waiting for their papers to be processed by the Philippine embassy staff.
"There are 25 OFWs inside the Sulaibikat Deportation Center waiting for Philippine embassy assistance. Many of them have already spent 3 months inside the deportation center waiting and are are still hoping that the Philippine embassy in Kuwait will process their documents and other formalities so that they could be sent home," Monterona added. Migrante-ME identified the following OFWs inside the Sulaibikat Deportation Center: Melisa Ligaspe, Wela Pugoy, Florelie D. Reogelon, Saimona Garay Odin, Ma.Elena Basaca, Monalisa Teocampo, Normina Ayop, Cledane Abay-abay, Fe Medina, Lilibeth Pascultad, Samia Saban, Ma.Terresa Soberano, Rhodora Dela Cruz, Gigi Lingbaon Divina Pagaduan, Irene Joy Walters, Gerlie L. Espinosa, Jenny Barba Dayana Motap Jumaani, Ajanal Nurhudha, Jasmin Dimasukol, Baiali Matura Pemia U. Cuervo, Diana Binavides, Maria Cecel.
Migrante-ME said aside from the above, there are still 7 OFWs inside the Jumaira central jail also waiting for the Philippine embassy's assistance. Thirty three of their other co-stranded workers have already been repatriated to the Philippines. The seven are Canora Paloma, Marriane Paralag, Nuraisa Barahim, Taaral Ana Redoblo, Marites Ravides, Venus Gay Dignadice, and Beloved Cuenca, said Migrante. "Given the huge numbers of OFWs inside the deportation jails who need assistance from the Philippine embassy in Kuwait, only an ample numbers of them have been assisted and eventually repatriated after a prolonged stay in deportation centers," Monterona added.
© Arab Times 2008
