(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 22, heaped praises on Kuwait, saying the Gulf state “showed courage when it met the Philippines’ “challenge.”
But according to Duterte, he would sign the order to lift totally the ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers to Kuwait if the conditions were “guaranteed.”
Earlier, the labor department already announced the total lifting of the ban, following the signing of an agreement on the protection of OFWs between Kuwait and the Philippines on May 11.
The signing took place following strained relations between the two countries over a rescue of OFWs which Kuwait deemed illegal.
The incident prompted Kuwait to expel Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa, and to recall its Manila representative.
“I demanded (OFWs) be allowed to sleep seven hours guaranteed…,” Duterte said, noting that he also asked that they be allowed to keep their cell phones, among others.