Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assured the public it is exhausting all legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian avenues to defend the rights of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait who has been sentenced to death over the demise of her employer's child.

According to Philippines News Agency, the lawyer handling the case has been exhausting all legal possibilities under Kuwaiti law, including the filing of an appeal on behalf of the OFW. The DMW emphasized its commitment to defending the rights and dignity of every Filipino, stating that they will not abandon their countrymen in such critical situations.

In late December 2024, Kuwait's Criminal Investigation Department arrested a Filipina domestic worker in Sabah Al-Salem following the death of her employer's 18-month-old child. The Filipino domestic helper allegedly placed the Kuwaiti child inside a washing machine at her employers' residence. Despite the parents' efforts to rescue their son and rush him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A report from the Gulf News indicated that Kuwait's criminal court sentenced the OFW to death on Wednesday. The DMW expressed condolences to the Kuwaiti family while also sympathizing with the difficult situation faced by the Filipino worker and her family.

The DMW assured that the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is actively monitoring the condition of the Filipino worker to ensure her rights are respected. The agency is also assisting the OFW's family, particularly her children, in these trying times.

While acknowledging the gravity of the case, the DMW stressed that the incident should be seen as isolated and not representative of the values of the more than 220,000 OFWs in Kuwait, the majority of whom are employed as domestic helpers. The agency called for understanding and trust as they work diligently to support the OFW through this challenging ordeal.