Recruiters seek modified order on Kuwait deployment

Local recruitment agencies deploying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait urged Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to modify the Administrative Order No. 25-18 that suspended the processing of OFWs bound to the Middle Eastern country.

In a statement, PHILAAK (Philippine Licensed Agencies Accredited to Kuwait) officials said that many skilled workers who have been selected by companies in Kuwait would be most severely affected by the suspension.

“These skilled workers are  IT professionals, store managers, maintenance personnel, electricians, plumbers, carpenters have been issued visas and are just awaiting their plane tickets from their employers,” the group said.

It added that only household service workers processing should be the subject of the administrative order.

The deployment suspension temporarily halts the processing and issuance of new overseas employment certificate pending an investigation into the deaths of seven OFWs in Kuwait. —Tina G. Santos