The lifting of the deployment ban for skilled and semi-skilled workers for Kuwait is great news for many of our OFWs interested in working in the gulf state.
This according to Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo, vice chairman of the House Committee on OFWs.
Previously, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a temporary deployment ban for Kuwait. This ban covered all kinds of workers. It was in light of the cold-blooded murder of OFW Joanna Demafelis.
Thereafter, the ban was declared permanent, due to the diplomatic row that was the result of a major misunderstanding between the Philippines and Kuwait as to rescue operations conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and visiting members of the delegation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
However, after intense negotiations, the two countries decided to bury the hatchet, seek common ground, and move on to a much better relationship. This led to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for better protection of the rights and welfare of our OFWs.
“The lifting of the deployment ban, albeit only for skilled and semi-skilled workers at the moment, is good for the economy,” said Castelo.
The lifting of the deployment ban, albeit only for skilled and semi-skilled workers at the moment, is good for the economy.
“While there may have been abuses in the past and in recent times, these are exceptions rather then the rule. But, of course, our government must not treat these deaths and other abuses as mere statistics but a matter of grave concern,” added Castelo.
“It is for this reason that President Duterte took a very strong stance, even to the point of calling of all OFWs to go home. Now that the MOA for better protection of our OFWs has been signed, our skilled and semi-skilled workers can already find work in Kuwait, with the assurance of greater protection not only from the Philippines but also from Kuwait,” concluded Castelo.