Kuwait has announced the lifting of the 2023 ban on the recruitment of domestic workers from the Philippines, following a dispute with Manila over the rights of employers and employees.
The Ministry of Interior released a statement confirming that Kuwait and Manila have agreed to “lift the ban imposed by Kuwait and allow the issuance of entry and work visas for Filipino nationals.”
Additionally, the agreement includes provisions to “permit the recruitment of experienced Filipino domestic workers who have previously worked abroad.”
The ministry further elaborated that both sides have agreed to establish a joint technical labour committee, which will meet regularly to address labour issues and resolve any future concerns.
In May 2023, Kuwait suspended the issuance of new entry visas for Filipinos after tensions escalated between the two countries.
This was triggered by the discovery of a charred body of a domestic worker in Kuwait’s desert in January 2023, prompting Manila to halt the deployment of inexperienced workers to Kuwait.
The Philippines had previously imposed a ban on sending its citizens to work in Kuwait in 2020 after a Filipino worker was killed by her employer.
This incident echoed a similar dispute in 2018 when the remains of a Filipino domestic worker were found in her employer’s freezer.
