Press Release
13 August 2008
Migrante Kuwait condemns the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait for its arrogant and improper manner unworthy of public servants in the treatment of Maliam Guiamalon who sought its assistance on August 11. This is just after said Embassy publicly accused Migrante of fabricating and exaggerating complaints of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait . Part of the incident was captured on film and is found below for your perusal. (kindly link to http://www.yousendi t.com/download/ Q01IK0dwMHdiV3l4 dnc9PQ)

Maliam, a Muslim Filipino from Maguindanao had just ran away fearful of being the next victim of her employer who she witnessed hit the face of her Indonesian co-domestic worker. She was even threatened by her employer a day earlier of being sent off to the police station.

After escaping and arriving in Kuwait City , Ms. Guiamalon called up Welfare Officer Amy Crisostomo to request assistance in going to the Embassy. In an arrogant voice, Ms. Crisostomo answered back what are you going to do in the Embassy and for what purpose? Is this the way an Embassy official talks to an OFW in distress?

Ms. Crisostomo then told Maliam that they cannot fetch her in the City as they had no vehicles. This is untrue as the Embassy has several vehicles and Ambassador Endaya even promised Migrante in a dialogue held in his office last February 1 that these can be made available for migrants who are in need.

In the end it was Migrante Kuwait 's welfare committee which brought Maliam to the Embassy's shelter and the taxi fare was not reimbursed. When the Welfare Officer arrived later she reportedly threateningly asked Ms. Guiamalon how she got to know about Migrante and that she would not assist her because she already approached the latter.

Eventually she was passed on to her agency on August 12 as the Embassy said that this was the proper body that should look after her and take care of her problems. This handling of the Embassy is not an isolated one and is common anywhere where OFWs abound.

It is also a clear indication of the bankruptcy of the Embassy's claims that Migrante Kuwait fabricates and exaggerates complaints of OFWs. This incident also best illustrates to countries and others what the Philippine government really is. In that it should not be looked upon as a model to follow in the upcoming Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) which it will host in October.

Migrante ME reiterates its call to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as Chairman of the Senate House Committee on Labor and Employment and Senate President Manny Villar to investigate the same, and if necessary invite the Philippine Embassy officials in Kuwait headed by Ambassador Endaya and Vice Consul Rea Oreta, to include Welfare Amy Crisostomo, and POLO staff Glen Sayson, to bestow them their 'right to be heard' (end). # # #

For reference:

John Leonard Monterona

Migrante Middle East regional coordinator

Mobile No.: 00966 564 97 8012