As a Philippine trade delegation prepares to visit Kuwait as part of a Gulf tour to strengthen economic relations, a Philippine government official revealed that about 47,000 job opportunities will be lost for female workers in his country, during 2023, as a result of their inability to work in Kuwait, due to the decision to suspend sending these workers to Kuwait.
“Since last year witnessed the departure of about 47,000 new domestic workers to Kuwait, a similar number will be affected by the decision to suspend the sending of workers throughout the current year,” said Hans Kakdak, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Migrant Labor, in a statement to the Philippines media, reports Al-Rai daily.
He reiterated that the suspension decision “aims to protect new domestic workers,” and that it “will remain in effect until it is confirmed that employment contracts include guarantees for the protection of workers,” and that “only employment agencies that have a good performance record will be allowed to work.”
He pointed out that the Philippine side “will seek to demand the introduction of reforms” in the talks with the Kuwaiti side, including education for workers and sponsors in order to avoid misunderstandings.
While the employment crisis continues, the Philippines seems to be separating it from economic relations with Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as the Philippine Ministry of Trade and Industry announced that a delegation of food exporters will visit Kuwait on February 13 and 14, as part of a Gulf tour that will last until February 25.
On a related note, the Philippine “Migrant International” organization called on the country’s government to provide legal, medical and financial support for those facing difficult circumstances in Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries.
“According to data from the Philippine Department of Migrant Labor, there were 24,000 cases of abuse against Filipinos in Kuwait during the year 2022, and that the number stood 6,500 in 2016,” said the head of the organization, Joanna Conception, during a forum held in Manila.