Manama: Employment agency owners in Kuwait have proposed an insurance package for Filipino household service workers (HSWs) as one way to improve and promote their welfare.

Abdul Aziz Al Ali, head of the organization of Kuwait agency owners, presented the suggestion to Philippine embassy officials led by Ambassador Shulan O. Primavera, Manila Bulletin reported.

According to Al Ali, the insurance premium will be paid by the agencies for a period of 24 months and will cover permanent total or partial disability due to accident, medical expenses due to accident, repatriation benefit in case of death, repatriation benefit in case of being declared medically unfit due to accident or sickness, repatriation benefit in case of breach of contract or being declared medically unfit due to accident or sickness and compensation for unpaid salaries.

In addition to these benefits, the insurance package will also provide for additional services, including a legal assistance hotline, legal services for any breach of contract issues such as abuse, either physical or sexual and unpaid salaries.

Al Ali said that the hotline provides for a call centre manned by legally qualified staff that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days of the week, the daily said.

The terms of the insurance policy stipulate 50 years as the maximum age limit, otherwise special rates will apply, the territorial limit is the State of Kuwait, and a premium of KD35 plus KD1.50 for fees.

Primavera said that the proposed insurance package by the agency owners was a step forward to ensure the safety and protection of Filipino HSWs in Kuwait.

According to Primavera the Filipino Workers Resource Centre (FWRC) currently shelters 249 rescued Filipino workers.

He said around eight to 15 runaways arrive there daily and that three to five of whom are deported to the Philippines.

The nature of the cases of the Filipino workers sheltered at the FWRC is absconding.

On the average, they stay at the FWRC for three to six months before they are deported to the Philippines, Primavera said.