Kiko on the repatriation of OFWs from Kuwait
and June 30 deadline of amnesty program of Kuwait

"I urge Malacanang to negotiate with the Kuwaiti government to extend the amnesty deadline to ensure that our people's welfare and safety are not compromised. There may be a need to convene a task force to negotiate an extension of the deadline considering that the repatriation of our countrymen may cause serious displacement and as such may require a longer period of preparation, processing and repatriation. I hope that our government can seek the understanding of Kuwaiti government to conduct instead voluntary rather than forced repatriation. There is a pressing need for bilateral talks with the Kuwaitis for there conditions to be ensured.

"Our government must develop a comprehensive evacuation plan if necessary, to prevent any detention of our countrymen. I also urge our countrymen to seize the opportunity if they so wish to continue their work in Kuwait, and correct their status, so as to prevent any inconvenience and untoward incidents also to their person or their families. Overall, I think the government needs to provide better services and options for our countrymen who work abroad, instead of leaving them to their own devices. We must learn from the experience of the repatriation of illegals in Malaysia wherein thousands suffered because of the inhumane conditions that the illegals were subjected to as the repatriation was undertaken."

"We must endeavor to avoid a repeat for the sake of our countrymen who are now at the mercy of Kuwaiti law enforcement entities. Government must act with resoluteness and dispatch."