Kuwait has suspended the issuance of new entry visas for Filipinos, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed.
"The Kuwaiti Government has informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that Kuwait has suspended the issuance of new entry visas for PH nationals into Kuwait effective immediately until further notice," the DFA said in a statement on Friday, May 12.
Despite the development, the DFA said the Philippines remains optimistic that the issue can be resolved, banking on both countries' "friendly relations and strong people-to-people links."
"The Philippines remains committed to discussing and resolving bilateral issues with all countries in an amicable manner," it stated.
"In the case of Kuwait, we are confident that with our friendly relations and strong people-to-people links, we shall be able to find a mutually satisfactory solution that will take into account the need to provide maximum protection and access to justice for all our nationals working in the country," the DFA added.
While the DFA did not mention the reason behind the suspension, reports have been saying that it was due to the Philippines' non-compliance with a bilateral labor agreement.
JUST IN: The DFA confirms that the Kuwaiti Government has suspended the issuance of new entry visas for PH nationals into Kuwait. @manilabulletin
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) May 12, 2023
It can be recalled that in January this year, the Philippines has imposed a ban on the deployment of first-time workers to Kuwait.
The deployment ban came after the death of Jullebee Ranara, a domestic helper in the Middle East country, who was killed by her employer's son. Her body was burned and dumped in the desert.