Philippines’ Duterte asks nationals to leave Kuwait

JUST IN: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello suspends the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/fq8aKCc5gg

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) January 19, 2018

Duterte's latest statement comes just a few days after his country's Ministry of Labor suspended the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait.

The suspension was announced on January 19 and might later expand to several other countries in the Middle East. 

In his statement on the recent decision, Labour Secretary, Silvestre Bello, said it was a measure taken in the wake of a large number of alleged abuse cases reported by Kuwait-based Filipino workers and their families. 

At the time of the announcement, Bello also stressed that no Filipino worker would be allowed to travel to Kuwait until the pending investigations into the deaths of several workers who passed away in the country are done. 

Kuwaiti officials respond

سعادة / مساعد صالح الذويخ سفير دولة الكويت لدى جمهورية الفلبين التقى مع معالي وزير العمل والتوظيف الفلبيني وذلك للوقوف على آلية القرار الفلبيني الأخير المتعلق بوقف إرسال العمالة الفلبينية إلى دولة الكويت pic.twitter.com/U6SYqprtbk

— وزارة الخارجية (@MOFAKuwait) January 25, 2018

In his response to the ongoing tension between the two countries, Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalid Al-Jarallah, said his ministry asked for details on the abuse cases and deaths reported by Duterte. 

He also explained that his country was shocked at the recent claims. 

"We are surprised at the statements made by the President of the Philippines, especially given the fact that we met with Filipino officials and asked them to identify the cases he was referring to  but they have yet to provide us with any details," he said.

Al-Jarallah stressed that Kuwait implements a strict labor law which is in line with international legislation and guarantees the rights of every foreign worker living in the Gulf state. 

"Filipino workers based in our country live in safety and are governed by laws that protect their rights. They and all other foreign workers are welcome in Kuwait," the minister added, explaining that his ministry has not stopped issuing visas for Filipinos. 

Both countries continue to work on ending the recent rift. Earlier this week, Kuwait's ambassador to the Philippines, Moased Saleh Al Thuwaykh, met with the country's Labor Minister and the two discussed the matter further.