Philippines to impose partial deployment ban to Kuwait amid OFW's killing

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to impose a partial deployment ban to Kuwait after the killing of Filipino worker Jeanelyn Villavende.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the ban will cover first-time domestic helpers.

Bello, however, clarified that the ban will not cover returning OFWs and first-time skilled workers.

"Ang ban will apply doon sa mga bagong madi-deploy pero exempted diyan sa ban na 'yan 'yung mga skilled workers at mga balik-manggagawa — ibig sabihin nagbakasyon lang sila at babalik na sila," he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Based on initial reports received by the DOLE, Villavende was "black and blue" and was "already dead" when she was rushed to the hospital. Her employers have been detained.

Villavende's remains will remain in Kuwait while the investigation into the case is ongoing.

The DOLE and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have assured Villavende’s family of assistance.

In his radio interview, Bello said having a template for employment contracts of Filipinos in Kuwait is up for discussion. He said the proposed template should include a provision that passports and mobile phones of OFWs shall not be confiscated by employers.

The specific working and sleeping hours, as well as the right to choose which meals to eat, should also be part of the contract, he added.

Moreover, Bello stressed that recruitment agencies have a responsibility to monitor the welfare of the OFWs they deploy abroad.

"That's part of their obligation na kapag nag-deploy sila responsibility nila 'yung kanilang na-deploy. Hindi 'yung kumita lang sila pababayaan na nila. May responsibility sila na 'yung kanilang dineploy ay nasa mabuting kamay, dapat alamin nila periodically ang kalagayan ng kanilang mga na-deploy," he said.

Villavende, an OFW from South Cotabato, was allegedly killed by her employer's wife in Kuwait. Malacañang said that the incident was a “clear disregard” of a 2018 agreement between the Philippine and Kuwaiti government for the protection of OFWs.

A report by Isa Avendaño-Umali on Dobol B sa News TV quoted Bello as saying that the memorandum on the partial deployment ban to Kuwait may be issued on Friday. —KBK, GMA News