24/08/2025
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24/08/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 24: Head of Kuwait Federation of Domestic Labor Office Owners, Khaled Al-Dakhnan confirmed that the decision of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will affect Kuwaiti citizens. He explained that Filipino workers in Kuwait receive an end-of-service gratuity equivalent to one month salary for each year of service, while other countries do not apply this system. He told the newspaper that if the new decision is implemented, the end-of-service gratuity should be abolished.
He said, “We will submit an official proposal in this regard to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), especially since other countries do not offer this gratuity.” Al-Dakhnan added that increasing the workers’ salary by KD30 (approximately $100) is a huge burden on Kuwaiti families, considering many households employ two to three maids. He pointed out that the current salary is $120, so the increase is “significant” given the other financial obligations. He reiterated the Federation’s demand to abolish the end-of-service gratuity to ease the burden on citizens. He asserted that the other points included in the Philippine circular are of a regulatory nature that pertain only to the Philippine side and do not constitute any obstacle or problem to the work of the Kuwaiti offices.
Regarding medical examination procedures, he said “This is normal and we do not object to it.” The DMW had earlier issued a circular regarding the adoption of enhanced reform programs for Filipino domestic workers, in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aimed at protecting workers’ rights and ensuring their dignity and well-being. The circular stated that the new reforms include raising the minimum monthly salary for domestic workers from $400 to $500, which must be incorporated into current and new contracts.
It stipulated the mandatory annual medical test of workers to ensure their safety, with agencies and employers bearing the costs of treatment in the event of work-related accidents or illnesses. It confirmed the implementation of the ‘Know Your Employer’ (KYE) protocol through mandatory video interviews between the worker and the employer before signing the contract, and the launch of the ‘Kumusta Kabayan’ digital system to periodically monitor the workers’ conditions and uncover any complaints or problems. The reforms include vocational training and qualification programs in the fields of healthcare, home management, hospitality services, digital literacy and language proficiency, in addition to tightening recruitment agency housing standards to guarantee the safety and health of workers, and imposing penalties on non-compliant agencies.
The circular confirmed the adoption of a whitelist policy for agencies, limiting recruitment to agencies that adhere to ethical standards. It also emphasized the activation of the AKSYON Fund to cover legal, medical and financial assistance for workers in emergencies, emphasizing that the worker’s passport remains the property of the worker and should not be confiscated. The circular clarified that these reforms will apply to new or renewed contracts 60 days after the date of issuance, affirming the commitment of all relevant agencies and offices to implement its provisions, with the DMW issuing detailed instructions to ensure full implementation.
By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
