(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte said he was open to lifting the ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers to Kuwait.
In a speech in Marawi, a transcript of which was sent to reporters on Friday, May 11, Duterte said this was if a pact ensuring the protection of Filipino workers there is signed between the two countries.
He said the agreement should ensure that all OFWs would have one day-off, seven hours of sleep every day, and will not be subjected to physical abuse, among others.
“Kung nandiyan lahat ‘yan, sabi ko ‘okay ako,'” he said.
On Friday, May 11, Kuwait and the Philippines signed the agreement that also bans employers from confiscating the passports of OFWs.
It was unclear, however, if Duterte’s statement was made after or before the signing.
The statement comes, however, following strained relations between the two countries after a Philippine embassy rescue of distressed OFWs in the Gulf State which Kuwait deemed illegal.
Kuwait expelled Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa and recalled its Manila representative after the incident.