Deployment of OFWs to Kuwait expected to resume

MANILA, Philippines — The local recruitment industry is looking forward to the resumption of the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait by the first quarter of 2024 following recent talks between officials of the two countries.

Migration expert Manny Geslani said the discussion between the two governments centered on the OFW deployment suspension and the role of welfare centers.

According to Geslani, the two governments are expected to meet anew and discuss new mechanisms to resolve issues on the hiring of OFWs.

A new agreement between the two countries may likely be reached before March next year, he said. Once the suspension is lifted, the recruitment sector expects about 30,000 household service workers (HSWs) to be deployed to Kuwait.

Representatives of the Philippine Agencies Accredited to Kuwait have met with their counterparts from foreign recruitment agencies to draw up a “white list” of qualified agencies allowed to deploy OFWs to Kuwait.

Early this year, the Philippine government opted to suspend the deployment of Filipino HSWs to Kuwait following the killing of helper Jullebee Ranara.

Kuwait responded by imposing a ban covering all Filipino migrants, except those holding resident visas.

There are about 280,000 OFWs in Kuwait, most of whom are HSWs.