A ban prohibiting skilled and semi-skilled workers from working in Kuwait has been partially lifted by Philippines Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello, Kuwait Times reported.
Philippine Presidential spokesman Harry Roque held a press conference at Malacanang Palace and announced the partial lifting of the ban - four days after a labour deal was signed in Kuwait.
The lifting of the ban means new hirings for skilled and semi-skilled work can now have their employment certificates processed at the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and Filipinos will now be able to apply for jobs in Kuwait.
Roque said that the lifting of the ban is expected to generate an additional 20,000 workers from Manila, but the door for housemaids remains closed.
“The ban on domestic helpers will be lifted eventually – I just don’t know when, and what other reforms DOLE will make,” Roque said, adding that the office of the president is waiting for advice from Abdullah Mama-o, the special envoy to Kuwait, on the fate of the deployment ban.