POEA partially lifts ban on deployment of OFWs to Kuwait —Bello

The governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)has decided to partially lift the deployment ban to Kuwait after the killers of slain Filipina worker Jeanelyn Villavende were charged with murder.

According to Sam Nielsen's report on Super Radyo dzBB, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the decision of the POEA on Thursday.

Under the partial ban, Bello said only skilled, semi-skilled, and professional workers would be deployed to Kuwait.

Newly-hired household service workers are still prohibited from being deployed under the partial ban, Bello added.

The POEA approved a total deployment ban to Kuwait last January 15 following the brutal killing of Villavende in December 2019. 

An autopsy of Villavende’s body had found that she died of “multiple, severe, traumatic” injuries and also showed indications of sexual abuse. 

Last January 27, Bello said Villavende’s employers have already been charged with murder. 

Bello said that prior to the final decision of the POEA to partially lift the deployment ban, DOLE and its counterparts in Kuwait had already been in talks about easing restrictions.

The labor secretary reminded eligible workers to begin processing their documents so they can be deployed to Kuwait. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News