News
DFA studying proposed deployment ban to Kuwait
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency
FILE: BILATERAL MEETING. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo during an interview after his bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi in Taguig City on Wednesday (Jan.
15, 2025). (PNA photo by Joyce Rocamora)
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is studying the possible effects of a deployment ban to Kuwait, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Friday.
The top diplomat disclosed that the government has yet to reach a decision on the proposal.
“Proposal pa lang naman ito so far but I wanted to assure that this is an issue na pinaga-aralan natin closely with the Department of Migrant Workers— marami ring factors ito (This is still a proposal but I wanted to assure that we are looking closely at this issue with the DMW— it involves a lot of factors),” he said in an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
Manalo said the DFA considers both the protection of Filipino workers and the country’s relations with Kuwait.
“Wala pang decision but we’re studying closely at kung ano ‘yong mga effects kung sakaling magkaroon ng ban (There is no decision yet but we are studying closely what will be the effects should we impose a ban),” he added.
Senate Committee on Migrant Workers chairperson Senator Raffy Tulfo earlier called for the deployment ban on new Filipino household service workers in Kuwait following the deaths of Filipino domestic workers, including Dafnie Nacalaban whose body was found buried in the gardener’s yard of her employer’s home in Saad Al-Abdullah, Jahra.
He said a ban must be imposed until the Philippine government manages to coordinate and sit down with Kuwaiti officials to discuss additional requirements for foreign employers before hiring Filipinos.
