Duterte may opt to expand coverage of OFW deployment ban to other countries

President Rodrigo Duterte has opened the possibility of expanding the deployment ban to other countries that treat Filipino workers unfairly.

Duterte made the declaration on Monday night as he insisted that the deployment ban in Kuwait will remain.

“The ban will continue and it will extend to other countries. Mahirapan sila, well, humihingi na ako ng tawad sa inyo. Wala akong kaplano na ipadala kayo [overseas Filipino workers] doon tapos babuyin kayo. Hindi ko style ‘yan,” Duterte said in a speech before Filipino-Chinese businessmen at the Manila Hotel.

Duterte also reiterated his appeal to Kuwait and other Arab countries to treat OFWs in their countries with dignity and respect.

“I repeat, the Filipino is a slave of nobody. The Filipino seeks to work abroad to earn a living so that he can help his family because the economy here, local, cannot absorb the entire workforce who would want to.

“The only thing that we ask is that you give us the dignity of a human being, you treat us humanely, be tolerant of our cultural differences and do not abuse our women because it will inflict a long and lasting wound. Maybe this generation cannot and will not forget it.”

The President said the Department of Trade and Industry is ready to provide livelihood assistance for the returning OFWs.

He also advised Filipinos to consider China as an alternative employment option, saying that Beijing is in need of thousands of English teachers.

“Will it involve hardships? Yes. Will it involve sacrifice? Yes. Would it mean anger? Yes. To me, yes. Tanggapin ko lahat. I’m ready to admit everything but the ban stands,” Duterte said.

“Umuwi lang kayo dito maski na papaano matulungan ko kayo maski sa pagkain. And maybe in the fullness of God’s time, if we can really improve the economy, I could give you livelihood projects,” he added.

Duterte imposed the ban on deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait, following the deaths of seven Filipinos now under investigation, including that of Joanna Demafelis whose body was found stuffed in a freezer in an abandoned apartment in the Gulf state.

Malacañang said the President is expected to visit the wake of Demafelis in her home province of Iloilo anytime this week. — RSJ, GMA News