Philippine government lifts deployment ban to Kuwait

The Philippine government has lifted the deployment ban of Filipino migrant workers to Kuwait, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced Thursday.

The Department of Labor and Employment decided to lift the ban after the Kuwaiti government conceded to the conditions set by the Philippines during a board meeting earlier in the day, according to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Olan Bola.

The Kuwaiti government has already met one of the conditions set by the Philippines, which is to file charges against the employers of slain migrant worker Jeanelyn Villavende.

Bello also said that Kuwaiti officials have agreed to craft a harmonized standard employment contract for Filipino workers.

Under the new contract, Filipino workers will be allowed to take one day off with pay each week.

The government imposed a total worker deployment ban to Kuwait in January after the release of autopsy results on household helper Jeanelyn Villavenda, who was allegedly killed by her Kuwaiti employers in December. The employers are now facing charges.

The government partially lifted the ban a month later for skilled, semi-skilled workers and professionals after the signing of a bilateral deal on the standard employment contract for Filipino workers.

After the announcement made Sec. Bello III, recruitment agency owners are seen rejoicing knowing that the ban is totally lifted.