Kuwait Filipino ban: Philippine’s President Marcos aims not ‘to burn bridges’

Earlier this month it was reported Kuwait has suspended all work and entry visas for Filipino expats after the Philippines allegedly violated a labour agreement between the two countries.

Reports said the suspension came at the orders of Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah “because Philippines has not complied with the provisions of the labour agreement between the two countries.”

Kuwait Filipino ban

Sources at the Interior ministry also added that the move aims to impose the sovereignty of the state.

President Marcos, however, has denied any wrongdoing on behalf of the Philippines.

He told reporters in the Philippines: “We couldn’t reach an agreement because they are saying we have violated their rules, but we don’t see any violations. This is why we have come to this situation.”

Within the Philippines there have been calls for a ban on sending overseas foreign workers to Kuwait, something President Marcos has rejected.

“It’s their country. Those are their rules. So, we will just leave that issue open and hopefully we will continue to negotiate with them.

An estimated 268,000 Filipinos live and work in the country and President Marcos is eager to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing dispute.

“I don’t want to burn any bridges and I think a proper reaction is to take on the decision of the Kuwait government to no longer issue new visas,” Marcos told Filipino local media.

“We will continue to negotiate with them, we will continue to consult with them, hoping that down the road, the situation will improve and allow our workers to head for their jobs in Kuwait.”

The President said there are around 800 OFWs who failed to enter Kuwait due to the new deployment ban.