PH, Kuwait experience breakthrough with signing of labor pact–Koko

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARRIANE BERMUDEZ)

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III lauded on Saturday the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippines and Kuwait that aims to protect the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf state.

Pimentel described the signing of the MOA as a “job well done” for both countries, which faced several issues concerning diplomatic relations and labor ties, prior to the signing.

“Job well done kasi imagine mo, na-persona non grata yung ambassador natin, yung ambassador nila ni-recall nila, and yet, after a few weeks, tayo ay nagpirmahan ng isang memorandum of agreement,” Pimentel said in a radio interview over DWIZ.

“So, ibig sabihin nun, nagkaintindihan pa rin tayong dalawa — ang Kuwait at ang Philippines,” he added.

Due to this, Pimentel urged both parties to avoid making unnecessary posts on social media that might bring back tension between the Philippines and Kuwait.

“Sana iwasan na natin ang mga maanghang na salita na makakasakit sa side ng kabila o sila naman ay iiwas na masaktan tayo,” Pimentel said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano and Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah signed the MOA on Friday.

The eight-page agreement consisted of six articles covering areas of cooperation, responsibilities of both nations, settlement of disputes, among other. /jpv

READ: PH, Kuwait sign MOA to protect OFWs