The Philippine government is considering a fresh deployment ban for Filipino workers in Kuwait following the recent deaths of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed on Saturday.
Speaking at a news forum in Quezon City, Cacdac said the current prohibition on first-time domestic workers in Kuwait could expand to include stricter deployment rules or a broader suspension. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is reportedly aware of the situation, and the decision will depend on a thorough evaluation of the impact on Filipino workers.
“If suspending deployment will help, we will do that. But we also need to balance this with the needs of our countrymen who are safely employed and have opportunities in Kuwait,” Cacdac said.
The deaths of Dafnie Nacalaban and Jenny Alvarado prompted the review. Nacalaban, who had been reported missing by her second employer in October, was found dead in the home of a Kuwaiti national who has since admitted to the crime. The suspect, along with his family, is now in police custody as authorities await a full investigation report.
Meanwhile, Alvarado and her Nepalese and Sri Lankan colleagues died from coal smoke inhalation at their workplace. Her remains were repatriated last week, but the process faced complications when her family initially received the body of a Nepali co-worker due to identification errors by a Kuwaiti service provider. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is considering legal action against the company responsible for the mix-up.
The Philippines has approximately 215,000 workers in Kuwait, with about 6,000 deployed under existing restrictions that limit the hiring of first-time domestic workers.
