“Every day, many people are struggling. Many are distressed with their respective plight in life. They don’t know what to do, where to go or to whom they should call for help.”

Author

Being an OFW is a great challenge. As you paved your way outside the country in search of financial income, you also departed from your warm-hearted family in the Philippines. Each of you, no matter where you may be, has battled homesickness and loneliness for you to support your family and children’s needs. Most of you are taking the weighty responsibility of being their family’s breadwinner.

 Aside from that, problems within your employer are inevitable, especially if it is still your first time. One cannot prevent being distressed during your period of contract. However, you can confidently do something about it. You have the right to take your call in times of distress. 

It is always better for us to avoid making mistakes. Instead of calling the agency, it is better to follow the process and make your call.

The process is quicker if one calls to the police. Any fellow OFW cannot conduct their own rescue. Therefore, the police are the only authorized persons who can conduct a rescue. That is the law of Kuwait

After calling the police, then it’s time to call the embassy depending upon the result of the issue. At the same time, you can apply the following process. We should always try and try to call 112.

Mariam Macapudi, FIL-ASEAK Officer

Taking your call does not mean you should rely on other people. You must strengthen yourself and report your case about your employer. As an OFW, one must not think that you are alone, for there are many authorities in their respective host countries that can help you with their problem.

THE PROPER STEPS IN REPORTING YOUR CASE

1ST STEP:  CALL  POLICE ASSISTANCE  ( 112 ) 

• If you have been abused, hit by your employer, or locked in the room, the first thing to do was to call police immediately on that exact day. 
• However, it is only applicable if physical abuse is done. If not, then proceed to the 2^ND STEP

2ND STEP: INFORM AGENCY 

• After calling “112”, you must immediately inform your agency about everything that happened so they can assist you.
• If your reported case is about working in a different household, no given salary, no given food, or your employer does not give you enough rest. It would be best if you informed your agency. You do not need to call the police.
• You can ask for help in the Philippine Embassy of Kuwait if you cannot contact your agency. They will be the one to call your agency.

3RD STEP: CALL THE EMBASSY HOTLINE ( 6990 2264)

• Local calls are needed to reach the embassy hotline.
• An embassy will assist you with your concern. After their assessment, they will ask you to submit all your details through the VIBER application.

What are the necessary details needed for the report?

You must give the details of the following.

• YOUR COMPLETE NAME ( first,  middle,  last name)
• NAME OF THE AGENCY
• EMPLOYERS  NAME
• ADDRESS WHERE YOU WORKED

After filling up the details, you must send it to PHILIPPINE EMBASSY’S VIBER  ( 6500 2612 )

If the following steps cannot be completed because you do not have a phone, then it is time to ask for help from your friends, kapwa kabayan, neighbors, or anyone. You will need to share it with them for them to take the call for you. They will be your last resort. 

You may ask for assistance on the official government Facebook page of OFW Help. They served as the official Facebook emergency help page of the distressed OFWs and their families. However, they are mainly for emergency purposes and not for labor claims.

Calling for assistance makes a great difference. Take your call!

For more information, you may visit the following links.

OFW Help Facebook Page: http://ofwhelp.dfa.gov.ph/

OFW Help Contact Number: 288344996

Philippine Embassy in Kuwait Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PHinKuwait

Philippine Embassy in Kuwait Website: https://kuwaitpe.dfa.gov.ph/

UPDATE

Please take note: 

Please wait for the official announcement of the complete address of our permanent address in Salwa this August. (From our Philippine Embassy) 

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO REMEMBER 

SUICIDE HOTLINE IN KUWAIT 

Hotline for Police Community (managed by therapists)
94000435 – 94000463

Social Development Office (FREE) and have many therapists
94069304 (Masella Branch)
94082761 (West Mishref Branch)
Main Office
22402409/7
Hotline 22440904/22402401
instagram.com/socialdoffice

*Numbers here may change due to several reasons and I will update soon if that is the case. 

*And Please remember I will be updating this, so please check for any updates soon.

Thank you po! 

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia