31/03/2020
45660 times read
31/03/2020
45660 times read
KUWAIT CITY, March 31: This Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Kuwait are all set to assist the undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS) who will avail the amnesty program of the Kuwait government from April 1-30, 2020 as part of the country’s precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Ministry of Interior has scheduled all undocumented Filipinos to process their exit clearances and travel documents from April 1-5 followed by other nationalities –
Egyptians April 6-10;
Indians(April 11-15;
Bangladeshis April 16-20;
Sri Lankans April 21-25;
other nationalities April 26-30.
In light of this development, the Philippine Embassy issued an advisory on Monday calling on all undocumented OFWs to avail the amnesty program. “We are urging all our undocumented Filipinos in Kuwait to take this opportunity and go home for free.
All those with expired visas and with absconding cases should avail the amnesty as long as they don’t have any travel ban in any form. Aside from you don’t pay the penalty, the tickets are funded by the Kuwait government and you can still come back,” outlined Hermosura on Tuesday to the Arab Times. In the embassy advisory, all undocumented OFWs are advised to proceed to the designated places by the Ministry of Interior from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The males are advised to proceed to Al Muthana Primary School for Boys (Block 1, Street 122) while females should go to the Farwaniya Primary School for Girls (Block 1, Street 76).
The advisory further added that amnesty applicants must bring their valid passports, along with two pieces of luggage (20kg plus 7kg hand carry bags). To those who have no valid passports, they have to bring three pieces of passport size photos, with blue background. “Please stick to the weight limit of the luggage and don’t bring heavier luggage. Take them with you at the venue,” cited Hermosura.
Hermosura cited that Embassy staff will be at the designated venues to assist the OFWs especially in the processing of their travel documents in case they do not have their passports. “Once the applications are approved, amnesty grantees will not be allowed t leave the processing centres; and will be sent to MoI designated holding areas until their flight back to the Philippines,” explained Hermosura . He assured that the Philippine Embassy is all set to extend its utmost assistance to all Filipinos who will apply for the amnesty
By Michelle Fe Santiago Arab Times Staff