BETTER COOPERATION | DFA hoping to resolve visa issue with Kuwait by year’s end

June 21, 2023 , 10:59 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(June 21, 2023) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday expressed hope that the Philippines’ issue with Kuwait on the issuance of visas will be resolved by the end of the year as officials of both nations look to resume negotiations in a few months.

DFA undersecretary Eduardo De Vega acknowledged that the matter cannot be easily resolved in one or two meetings because of the differences they need to sort.

“We trust that they will bring justice for Jullebee Ranara. We’re just saying we have to sit down and talk and I think the cooling-off period is beginning. We just have to be patient on the part of the Philippines,” said De Vega on One News’ The Chiefs.

In his view, De Vega said Kuwaiti authorities seemed to have appreciated an earlier statement from President Bongbong Marcos Jr. that the Philippines is not envisioning a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to the Gulf state.

Around 70% of the 275,000 OFWs in Kuwait are household workers, according to De Vega.

He further noted that Kuwait has started seeking workers from other countries. Despite this, he urged Filipinos to “be optimistic” since the government is working to address conflicts. He added that the Department of Migrant Workers has other plans if the situation does not work out.

“If not Kuwait, we’ll see other markets. We are going to protect our workers and defend our dignity and honor. The Kuwaitis feel the same way,” said De Vega.

Last month, Kuwait suspended the issuance of entry and work visas to Filipinos over the Philippines’ alleged violations in the bilateral labor agreement, such as the existence of household shelters. But the Philippines maintained it did not violate anything because it had to protect OFWs in Kuwait.

Such developments happened months after the Philippines temporarily banned the deployment of first-time household workers to Kuwait. It stemmed from the brutal murder of Ranara, whose lifeless body was found in the desert, at the hands of her employer’s son last January.

Some lawmakers are also pushing for a total deployment ban to Kuwait but Marcos thumbed it down. For him, the country will continue negotiations to hopefully improve the situation in the future.

Progressive organizations also sought substantial changes to safeguard the rights of OFWs and give justice to victims of abuse from their employers.

De Vega said they are still hoping to resume deployment as an ideal outcome of the talks. He added that their main goal is to ensure the protection and safety of OFWs being deployed not only to Kuwait but also to other countries.

“For purposes of bilateral relations, the end goal is to be able to come up with a protective mechanism for our kasambahays and a better system of cooperation between our embassy and Kuwaiti authorities,” added De Vega.

(PM)

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