Philippine Overseas Labor Office

PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICE (POLO)

A. Basic Information of the POLO

Address : Kuwait, Jabriyah, Block 7, Street 103, Building 44
Postal address : P.O. Box 26288, Safat 13123, State of Kuwait
Telephone nos.: (965) 534-6507/8
Fax no. : (965) 534-5469
Office Hours : 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturdays to Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Thursdays

B. Services Rendered

1. Employment Facilitation
a. Employment contract and job order processing
b. Issuance of overseas employment certificate
c. Marketing

2. Welfare Services
a. Counseling
b. Filipino Workers Social Center
c. Legal assistance
d. Repatriation

3. Others
a. OWWA voluntary membership on site
b. Medicare
c. Networking with GOs, NGOs, Filipino community associations recruitment agencies and media

C. Standard Operating Procedures in the Processing of Documents

1. Employment Facilitation - Verification

Client is briefed on the requirements of hiring of Filipino workers.

Upon submission of the requirements, POLO checks each and every document to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Client seeks approval from the Labor Attaché.
Client undergoes a short interview with the Labor Attaché, who then signs the documents.
POLO stamps/processes the documents while client waits at the reception area.
In the case of skilled workers contracts, a call is placed, and if needed, an ocular inspection is made to verify the company's existence.
Client proceeds to the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy to pay for authentication/verification fees.
The Philippine Embassy issues client a claim slip.
After 2-3 days, POLO records the received document from PE, which retains a copy of the contract.
POLO rechecks the documents.
The documents are released to the client upon presentation of the claim stub.
For domestic helper contracts, documents are received from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Labor Attaché begins signing from 2:00 p.m. Contracts are released the following day.

2. Welfare Services

The worker seeking assistance accomplishes a Request for Assistance (RA) form. The form contains the worker's personal information, employment details as well as particular of the complaint.
A case officer is then assigned who interviews the worker, assesses the complaint, and reviews the options available. The best approach is then discussed with the worker, and in more complicated cases, referred to the welfare officer.

Domestic Helpers

The sponsor is called to POLO for a conference, and if not available or uncooperative, the foreign placement agency, for case resolution or amicable settlement.
For workers under the 3-month guarantee period, the foreign placement agency representative is called to take custody of the worker, or assist in settling the complaint with the sponsor. For uncooperative foreign placement agencies, a complaint is filed before the Daiya police station. The FPA is also suspended from processing contracts with POLO.
For cases that require legal intervention, as in cases of unpaid salary and the like, and which cannot be resolved amicably, the worker is assisted in filing the case against the sponsor before the appropriate local court.
Cases that are criminal in nature are immediately endorsed to the Assistance to National Unit.
Workers who require immediate medical attention are referred to hospitals.
Domestic helpers with absconding cases are referred to the concerned police stations.
Repatriation proceedings are initiated, i.e., preparation of travel documents, fingerprinting, and obtaining clearance to travel.
Workers for deportation are referred to the Interior Ministry.
Airport assistance is provided to departing workers.

Skilled workers

Complaints of skilled workers that cannot be resolved amicable with the company concerned are filed before the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

D. Reintegration Program and Skills Training

Due to the peculiar nature of problems of employment in Kuwait, where over 60% of workers are domestic helpers, the Post in unable to pursue reintegration programs and projects. Over 90% of POLO resources are focused on case management pertaining to complaints of DHs.

E. Other relevant or important information for OFWs

About the Country

Kuwait is an Arab country with an area of 17,818 square kilometers situated in the northwestern tip of Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by KSA in the south and southwest, and Iraq in the northwest. Kuwait is a flat desert, where the soil is not suitable for agriculture. There are no rivers of lakes. Water comes almost exclusively from desalination plants. Most fruits and vegetables are imported from neighboring Arab countries such as Jordan, Syria and Egypt.
The country is abundantly blessed with oil reservoirs, its main source of revenue. Petrol is relatively cheaper than bottled water.
The climate is characterized by long and dry summer months, with extreme temperatures and low humidity. Fall and spring are pleasant and mild, while winters are short and cold.
Kuwait has a small population of 2.3 million where Kuwaitis comprise only 35% of the total.
Arab nationals coming from Egypt, Palestine, Iran composed the largest expatriate population, followed closely by Indians. Filipino nationals ranked 7th among the largest expatriate community. The economy relies heavily on expatriate labor.
Islam is the religion of the State and Islamic Shariah is the main source of legislation. 99.9% of Kuwaitis are Muslim. Freedom of religion however is guaranteed by law. Christians for example are able to practice their faith in the different churches all over the country.
Alcohol beverages and its consumption are strictly prohibited in Kuwait. Tough laws have been established against illicit drug use and trafficking.
Arabic is the official language while English is widely understood due to the large number of expatriates living in the country.
Friday is the official weekly holiday. Most companies have a 51/2 days workweek. Retail outlet and restaurants are usually open from 9 AM to 9 PM. Some stores and companies close from 1-4 PM, and reopen their business by late afternoon.
Kuwaiti Dinar is the official currency, which boasts as one of the strongest foreign exchange in the world. KD has denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1. KD 1 is equivalent to 1000 fils.
Restaurants catering to international cuisine abound due to the vast number of expatriates.
A number of fast food chains also abound, such as Macdonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza, Burger King and Starbucks. There are many Filipino restaurants that also cater to Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and other exotic cuisines.
Most expatriates live in flats, or condominiums. Rent is paid on a monthly basis, and on occasion is inclusive of water and electricity. Finding a flat in Kuwait is not difficult. With the recent boom in construction, over 35,000 flats are available for occupancy.
The dress code in Kuwait remains generally conservative, yet cosmopolitan. However, modesty is strongly advised, especially for women. Mini skirts, shorts, sleeveless t-shirts are generally not tolerated, or are frowned upon. Most men and women still wear their traditional costumes. Outward expressions of affection in public between sexes such as hugging and kissing are generally not accepted. Kissing between 2 men is a natural form of greeting. Men and women who are not married are not allowed to live in the same house/apartment.
International schools are many in Kuwait. There are at least three Philippine Schools in Kuwait that are duly accredited by the Education Ministry. Many Arab children go to English and American schools.
Public transportation is easily accessible in Kuwait. Call taxis and buses are widely available and safe. Owning a car which can be purchased at easy terms is a popular and practical option among expatriates. Driving even among women is allowed, after passing the local driving tests.
Television programs are commonly in Arabic. Arabsat usually which is available in homes run CNN and BBC World as part of their regular programming. Satellite and cables programs, which feature western shows and music, are also popular. The Filipino Channel (TFC) is available in most parts of the country. The local radio station airs "Radio Pinoy" every afternoon.

Working in Kuwait

There are around 65,000 Filipinos in Kuwait, 40,000 of whom are estimated to be working in households. There are many Filipino associations, which mainly congregate according to their special interests, (basketball, bowling, cycling, chess etc.) or regional background.
An approximate 3 in every 4 deployed OFW is a domestic helper, considering the volume of employment contracts processed at the Post.
Most Filipino skilled workers are found in hospital, retail outlets and other service industries. The increased influx of American and European franchises, from clothes, hotel to restaurants has significantly raised manpower needs in the country. Filipinos and Indians, by and large dominate the retail and restaurant chains.

Generally, there are 5 types of visas issued by the Ministry of Interior

- Visa 14 for tourist
- Visa 20 for domestic helpers and family drivers
- Visa 18 for skilled and semi skilled workers in the private sector
- Visa 17 for expatriates working in government
- Visa 22 for dependents

An entry visa that is valid for 30 days is required form all visitors. Extension may be granted not exceeding 90 days. Immediate kin, and Kuwaiti nationals are allowed to sponsor foreigners.
Workers are given residence permits of up to 2 years, renewable.
All permanent residents are provided with the civil identity card, which reflects details of the holder, including birth date, residence, employment and validity.
There is a statewide public health insurance system available to expatriates with permanent residence.
For a minimal fee, consultation, medical tests, medicines and other facilities for health car are provided.
Foreign exchange remittance centers are reliable for sending money overseas at minimal expense.