LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III recalled the labor attaché in Kuwait for negligence and lack of concern for the welfare of Filipino workers in her jurisdiction, following the death of a Filipina household worker who was beaten up by her employer.
The labor chief ordered the recall of Angelita Narvaez, assistant labor attaché assigned in Kuwait, and added he would appoint Narvaez’ replacement next week.
Amy Capulong Santiago was reportedly beaten to death by her employer last week.
“I issued a recall order to Narvaez for her inaction and lack of concern [for] our overseas Filipino workers,” Bello said.
Bello said Narvaez did not inform him of the case of Santiago when he flew to Kuwait after concluding the third round of talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF in Rome, Italy.
“Santiago died on Jan. 25. I was there on January 26 and Narvaez did not inform me about Santiago’s tragic fate. Narvaez, in effect, misled the Secretary of the Department of Labor by concealing that information,” Bello said.
He added Narvaez also deliberately prevented him from meeting the OFWs at the Bahay Kalinga.
“I was told by an OFW who returned from Kuwait that there were about 100 Filipino workers who were at the second floor,” Bello said.
Bahay Kalinga or the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center, used as a temporary shelter for overseas Filipinos in distress, is within the premises and under the administrative jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in countries where there are large concentrations of Filipino migrant workers.
The labor department’s International Labor Affairs Bureau, Narvaez’s mother office, will investigate her upon her return.
Meanwhile, Bello said he had discussed the situation of the household service workers in Kuwait with Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmal Althwaikh during the latter’s visit Friday at the DoLE office.
Although he did not disclose the agreements reached during the visit, Bello said the conversation was “very frank and congenial.”
“The meeting was very conducive and good for the labor relationship of the Philippines and Kuwait,” he said.