MANILA: A Philippine delegation will travel to Kuwait on Monday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, to address labor concerns and seek an explanation for the Gulf state’s suspension of new visas for Filipinos.
Following the gruesome murder of a domestic worker Jullebee Ranara, which sparked calls nationwide for a review of bilateral labor agreements and prompted Manila to suspend the deployment of first-time workers to Kuwait in February, the Philippines has been preparing for talks with the government of Kuwait since earlier this year.
Kuwait bans entrance visas for Philippine nationals
Kuwait banned the issuing of new entrance visas to Philippine nationals last week, an act that overlaps with the Philippine ban but also applies to other sorts of tourists.
In a televised briefing on Monday, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant laborers Eduardo De Vega said we are asking for an explanation of whether the ordinary workers and tourists are covered by the suspension. He said they must explain it.
In response to reports from Kuwait that the Philippines “violated the labor agreement,” De Vega said the Philippines “did not violate the labor agreement.”
With over 290,000 Filipinos working in Kuwait, Philippine authorities would also seek to clarify how the visa suspension may affect existing overseas Filipino workers once their employment contracts expire.
The reason for the suspension is unknown, although De Vega believed that it could be tied to the Philippine Embassy’s shelters for distressed Filipino workers, which are required by Philippine law to provide protection for its overseas nationals.
According to De Vega, there may be some misunderstanding with Kuwaiti authorities on the facility, which they will address.
