8 OFWs quit jobs in Kuwait over unfair labor

First posted 04:51pm (Mla time)
June 30, 2005
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net

http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=41928

EIGHT Filipino truck drivers were repatriated in two batches after their resigned from a transport company in Kuwait over unlawful salary deductions and unpaid overtime.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said the overseas Filipino workers still chose to return to the Philippines even after a successful mediation by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.They did not finish their two-year contracts.The drivers were all contracted by the BMW Recruitment Agency to work with the Jassim Transport Company, a subsidiary of the Transport and Warehousing Group Co. in Kuwait.

They stayed within the Philippines embassy premises in Kuwait from April 7 until their repatriation on June 22 and June 26, according to a report of Labor attaché to Kuwait Leopoldo De Jesus.

De Jesus named the overseas workers as Valeriano de la Cruz, Willie Hernandez, Protacio Valenzuela, Romeo Gonzales, Vergel Gonzales, Freddie Malbueso, Nicanor Badonio, and Edwin Cruz.

De Jesus said that as the OFWs failed to complete their contracts, the company required them to pay back employment expenses in bringing them to Kuwait. These amounted to 183 Kuwaiti dinars (about 528 dollars) for each of the repatriated workers.

Jassim Transport Company deducted the amount from their remaining salaries and overtime pay, said De Jesus, adding that the balance was charged to the contracting agency. He did not specify the amount.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said it assisted in their repatriation and provided necessary airport and other assistance upon arrival in the Philippines. #