KUWAIT (Middle East Eye) – Kuwait said it “remains open” to negotiating with the Philippines after a worker-protection row saw the Persian Gulf state impose a visa ban on Filipinos.
Kuwait suspended all new work visas for Filipino workers last week, accusing Manila of violating Kuwaiti law and breaking the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mansour al Otaibi said his country would be open to lifting its ban if Manila admitted to breaking Kuwaiti and international law.
“The Philippine embassy must admit its violation of Kuwaiti laws and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations,” said Otaibi.
“The embassy must also pledge not to repeat its violations, and those responsible for these violations will be held accountable.”
Kuwait issued the ban on Wednesday, saying the Philippines broke several labor agreements between the two countries.
The alleged violations carried out in Kuwait include housing abused workers shelters, looking for women who had run away without informing local authorities, communicating with Kuwaiti citizens without permission and pressuring employers to add clauses to work contracts.
The row is the latest escalation in long-running dispute between the two countries over worker protections and employer rights.
Manila stopped sending first-time workers to Kuwait after the charred dead body of Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara was found in the desert in January this year.
Ranara was reportedly killed by her employer’s son, having had her skull smashed in before being burnt and left to die in the desert.
Two weeks ago, the two countries began talks after the Philippines requested a meeting to discuss the suspension of workers’ visas.