Bongbong Marcos nixes total ban on OFWs deployment to Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he is not keen on imposing a total ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait.

He is responding to the call of Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas to totally ban OFW deployment to the Middle Eastern country due to “heinous crimes committed” on Filipino migrant workers.

“I’m never very comfortable ‘yung nagba-ban na ganun dahil parang ang pag-ban sinasabi mo forever na ‘yan, hindi na pwede,” Marcos said in an interview with reporters in Manila.

(I’m never very comfortable with banning people like that because it’s like you’re saying that banning is forever, it’s not possible anymore.)

READ: Long-term solution needed for abuses vs OFWs – Migrante

“I don’t know, ‘yung sometimes overreaction ‘yun na, basta’t ban lang tayo ng ban, hindi naman tama,” he added.

(I don’t know, that’s sometimes overreaction, as long as we’re just banned, it’s not right.)

Marcos noted that Kuwait prohibited the deployment of OFWs to their country as the Gulf state suspended its issuance of new visas to Filipinos due to the alleged failure of the Philippines to comply with labor agreements.

READ: Kuwait halts issuance of visas for Filipinos

He said that while the Philippine government is taking Kuwait’s decision as it is, it will continue to negotiate and consult with the Middle Eastern nation, hoping the situation may change.

“Baka sakali down the road magbago ang sitwasyon, maibalik ngayon ang ating mga workers. Hopefully down the road, we will continue to work to improve that situation,” Marcos said.

(Maybe the situation will change down the road, and our workers can be brought back now. Hopefully, down the road, we will continue to work to improve that situation.)

READ: Philippines firm in protecting OFWs after Kuwait visa ban

kga/abc