Officials from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that a delegation from the will travel to Kuwait to address labor concerns and seek clarification regarding the Gulf state’s suspension of work and visit visas for Filipinos.
Following the tragic murder of a domestic worker earlier this year, the Philippines has been preparing for discussions with the Kuwaiti government.
The incident led to nationwide calls for a review of bilateral labor agreements, resulting in Manila’s decision to halt the deployment of first-time workers to Kuwait in February.
Earlier this month, Kuwait implemented a temporary suspension on the issuance of new entry visas for Philippine nationals. This measure affects not only the Philippine ban but also extends to other categories of visitors.
During a televised briefing on Monday, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Eduardo De Vega expressed the need for an explanation regarding the scope of the visa suspension, particularly whether it covers tourists and ordinary workers. De Vega emphasized that the Philippines did not violate the labor agreement, countering reports from Kuwait that suggested otherwise.
Given the significant number of Filipinos working in Kuwait, estimated at around 290,000 individuals, Philippine authorities will also seek clarification on how the visa suspension may impact overseas Filipino workers currently employed in the country once their contracts expire.
The exact reason behind the visa suspension remains unclear. However, De Vega suggested that it could be related to the shelters provided by the Philippine Embassy for distressed Filipino workers. These shelters are mandated by Philippine law to ensure the protection of its nationals abroad. There might be some misunderstanding with Kuwaiti authorities regarding these facilities, which the delegation aims to address during their visit this week.
De Vega emphasized the importance of presenting the Philippine side of the situation to Kuwaiti officials, fostering better communication and understanding between the two countries.