Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 15) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said thousands of skilled workers in Kuwait may be affected by the Gulf state’s suspension of issuance of entry and work visas for Filipinos.
“Ang sabi ng DMW sa akin [the Department of Migrant Workers told me), we send about two or three thousand workers every year who are not household workers, mga (they’re) skilled workers. So they will be affected,” DFA Usec. Eduardo de Vega told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Last week, Kuwait halted the issuance of entry and work visas for Filipinos.
Representatives from the Philippine government are set to fly on Monday night to meet with their counterparts in the Middle Eastern country to know the reason behind their move, and to hopefully come up with solutions.
De Vega said it was likely that the grounds behind the suspension may be related to a 2018 agreement on the management of a shelter by the Philippine embassy for overseas Filipino workers who have escaped from their abusive employers.
DFA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes has committed to resolving the issue in an “amicable manner.”
According to the DFA, there are around 290,000 Filipinos in the Gulf state.
In February, the DMW halted the deployment of first-time household workers bound for Kuwait until more safeguards are in place for them.
The ban was instituted after the horrible death of 35-year-old Filipino household worker Jullebee Ranara in a Kuwaiti desert.
