President Duterte: OFW deployment ban may expand to other countries

The enforcement of total deployment ban in Kuwait for OFWs may be extended to other countries, this is based on the statement of the President Duterte on Tuesday as he addresses in a speech before the Filipino-Chinese businessmen at the Manila Hotel.

“The ban will continue and it will extend to other countries. Mahirapan sila, well, humihingi na ako ng tawad sa inyo. I will not allow … Hindi … Wala akong kaplano na ipadala kayo doon tapos babuyin kayo. Hindi ko style ‘yan,” he said.

Duterte also reiterated his appeal to Kuwait and other Arab countries to treat OFWs in their countries with dignity and respect.

“I repeat, the Filipino is a slave of nobody. The Filipino seeks to work abroad to earn a living so that he can help his family because the economy here, local, cannot absorb the entire workforce who would want to.”

“The only thing that we ask is that you give us the dignity of a human being, you treat us humanely, be tolerant of our cultural differences and do not abuse our women because it will inflict a long and lasting wound. Maybe this generation cannot and will not forget it.”

The President said the Department of Trade and Industry is ready to provide livelihood assistance for the returning OFWs.

He also advised Filipinos to consider China as an alternative employment option, saying that Beijing is in need of thousands of English teachers.

“Will it involve hardships? Yes. Will it involve sacrifice? Yes. Would it mean anger? Yes. To me, yes. Tanggapin ko lahat. I’m ready to admit everything but the ban stands,” Duterte said.

“Umuwi lang kayo dito maski na papaano matulungan ko kayo maski sa pagkain. And maybe in the fullness of God’s time, if we can really improve the economy, I could give you livelihood projects,” he added.

Read about the Administrative Order for total OFW deployment ban to Kuwait.