During the weekend, President Duterte instructed Sec. Bello to implement total OFW deployment ban to Kuwait because of the issue and series of reports involving abuses and deaths of Filipinos in Kuwait.
Today, February 12, 2018 in Manila, Labor Sec. Bello signs administrative order for total deployment ban to Kuwait.
The Administrative Order states that: “In pursuit of national interest and advent of series of reports involving abuses and deaths of Filipinos in Kuwait, a total ban of all deployment, pursuant to the directive of the President of the Philippines, is hereby enforced and will take effect immediately.”
However, DOLE clarified, they will still have to study whether returning OFWs or Balik Manggagawas will be covered by the administrative order.
The order comes after authorities discovered the body of a Filipina inside the freezer of her employers in Kuwait, and amid the investigation on seven Filipino household workers killed in Kuwait.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippine government will hold Kuwait responsible for the horrendous crimes under state responsibility.
Over 400 OFWs were brought back home on Monday morning as part of the government’s mass repatriation program.
He added 150 more will arrive on Tuesday and 250 more will go back to the Philippines on Wednesday.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa estimates around 10,000 OFWs are overstaying in the country. Around 80 percent of them are domestic workers, and majority of whom have claimed abuse from employers.
