Drilon fears PH deployment ban may affect trade relations with Kuwait

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon. PRIB FILE PHOTO

While he said he supports the government’s move to completely ban the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned of its possible consequences, especially on Philippines’ trade relations with the country.

“I support the ban but there are consequences which we must be prepared to handle particularly in the area if trade. I do not know what the details of the trade relations between the two countries but certainly, from my experience before, these accepting countries would resort to all kinds of pressure on the Philippines,” Drilon, who was also a former labor secretary, told Senate reporters on Thursday.

“We should be able to withstand any pressure Kuwait may put on us in terms of trade relations,” he added.

READ: Kuwait condemns ban of OFW deployment

For Drilon, the deployment ban was “necessary,” but the “long-term” objective is to come up with a labor agreement between the country and Philippines.

“The total ban is a remedy that radical as it is, is necessary because of the abuses. But the long term objective is to come up with a labor agreement between Kuwait and the Philippines to define strictly the status and protection to our workers,” he said.

Last Monday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced the complete deployment ban of workers to Kuwait following the discovery of the body of a Filipina inside the freezer of her employers in Kuwait, and amid the investigation on seven Filipino household workers killed in the country.

READ: PH issues total ban on deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait

Drilon also pointed out that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) should clarify if the ban covers only those who are about to be deployed to Kuwait.

“First, does it cover only domestic helpers or does it cover all other skills? Otherwise there could be confusion what does it cover?” Drilon asked.

“Number two, does it cover only future deployment or does it also cover those who are currently there?” he added.

Bello earlier said they are still studying whether the order will cover returning OFWs who currently have contracts in Kuwait. /jpv