Body of Filipina maid found in Kuwait freezer returned to family

The body of a Filipina housemaid found stuffed in a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait has been returned to the Philippines to her grieving family.

A sister of Joanna Daniela Demafelis broke into tears and tried to embrace the casket but was pulled away at the Manila airport Friday.

Demafelis's death is the latest tragedy to befall a Filipino worker abroad and the government banned Filipino workers from being deployed to Kuwait since her body was found.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said at the airport that Kuwait was also outraged by the death of Demafelis and will do everything to render justice.

Domestic workers in Kuwait are not covered by ordinary labour legislation.

Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have documented widespread abuses, including non-payment of wages, long working hours with no rest days, physical and sexual assault, and no clear channels for redress.

The Philippine foreign affairs department said Monday authorities were repatriating 10,000 overstaying Filipinos from Kuwait, taking advantage of an amnesty programme arranged with the Kuwaiti government.

Officials added they were eyeing China and Russia as "alternative markets" for overseas workers.