5,000 new OFWs bound for Kuwait affected by total ban



The ban on the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait will affect some 5,000 new Filipino workers who are about to leave for the Gulf state, GMA News' JP Soriano reported on 24 Oras on Monday, citing a group of travel agencies.
"Ilang agencies ang tumawag sa akin na may mga visa na, siguro around 300 to 500 na may visa na na nurses at 'yung iba ay selected na," said Amanda Araneta, president of Philippine Association of Agencies for Kuwait (PHILAAK).
"Andami na maaapektuhan," she added. "Domino effect talaga ito."
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the total deployment ban on Monday, days after the body of an OFW, Joanna Demafelis, was found in a freezer in an unoccupied apartment unit in Kuwait.
Prior to the ban, the deployment of OFWs to Kuwait was suspended following reports of maltreatment.
Bello said the ban will stay until Kuwait and the Philippines ink a memorandum on understanding that would protect OFWs in the Middle Eastern country.
One of those affected by the ban, Apple Peña, who already has an overseas employment certificate and an employer in Kuwait, said she had to "change country" just to be able to work abroad.
"Nag-change country na lang ako para makaalis talaga kami kasi wala naman kaming magiging trabaho dito," she said.
Dorothy Verota, who was on vacation in the Philippines, said her employer immediately ordered her to go to the agency upon hearing the news about the deployment ban.
"Pababalikin na po kasi may usapan kami [na] babalik dun, eh eto na nga ang naging problem," she said.
Bello said they are still studying whether returning OFWs or Balik Manggagawa will be covered by the ban. —KBK, GMA News

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