Overseas Filipino workers with jobs in Kuwait who are currently vacationing at home can now leave the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said Wednesday.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the concerned OFWs are no longer facing any “obstacle or impediment” to their return, after learning the Labor department has issued a new directive exempting “Balik Manggagawa” passengers from the Kuwait deployment ban.
DOLE Administrative Order No. 54-A, series of 2018 – Guidelines and Exemptions on the imposed total employment ban of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to Kuwait.
Guidelines:
A. General Coverage:
The deployment ban covers all types of workers being deployed for the first time for overseas employment in Kuwait, without distinction as to skill, profession, or type of work.
B. Exception:
The ban does not include:
a. Workers who are vacationing in the Philippines and will be returning to the same employer to finish their contracts, at the end of his/ her vacation.
b. Balik Manggagawa workers who are returning to Kuwait on a new contract with the same employer; and
c. Seafarers who will be transiting through or boarding in Kuwait to join their principals.
C. Counter-checking process
The issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) to be issued by POEA/ POLO to Balik-Manggagawa workers exempted from the ban as specified above shall require prior clearance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Signed by
SILVESTRE H. BELLO III
Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
14 February 2018
