DOLE-7 implements OFW ban to Kuwait

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 is strictly implementing the ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to Kuwait.

"Region-7 is definitely one with the nation’s cry for protection of and justice for the plight of all OFWs, not only those based in Kuwait and the Middle East region but also those working in other parts of the globe. This ban heightens awareness among OFWs and their families especially those who are inclined to working abroad,” said DOLE-7 Acting Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao, in a press statement.

To recall, with the reported abuses and maltreatments suffered by the OFWs in Kuwait, DOLE has issued a total deployment ban of all OFWs to this country.

Pursuant to the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III issued Administrative Order No. 54, Series of 2018.

The ban, in a statement released by Bello, would cover all Kuwait-bound OFWs, most especially domestic workers and skilled workers while the process of redeployment for the Balik-Manggagawa or the vacationing OFWs is still under thorough review.

Ticao said that as far as the Central Visayas is concerned, most of the OFWs deployed to Kuwait are domestic workers who are the most vulnerable and susceptible to abuses.

Based on the 2017 data released by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-7, there are 291 OFWs from the region that went to Kuwait to work.

All of them, Ticao noted, were rehires or vacationing OFWs.

"As of now, we will be strictly implementing Administrative Order No. 54, unless there is another issuance that will especially say otherwise,” Ticao added. (FREEMAN)