Kuwait's Crown Prince and Marcos discuss labor relations

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 20: The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, recently engaged in a brief bilateral meeting with President of the Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in Malacañang, as confirmed by official sources. Further details about the meeting are awaited.

It's worth noting that Kuwait has long been a preferred destination for Filipino overseas workers, boasting a population of over 250,000 Filipinos who contribute significantly to the local workforce. However, in recent times, there have been distressing reports of the mistreatment and exploitation of Filipino laborers in Kuwait.

Last May, Kuwait took the drastic step of indefinitely suspending the issuance of new visas to Philippine citizens. This move was a response to concerns raised between the Gulf nation and Manila regarding the protection of worker rights and the prerogatives of employers.

In a reciprocal action, the Philippines had previously implemented measures in February to halt the initial deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait. This decision was prompted by a tragic incident in which the lifeless body of domestic worker Jullebee Ranara was discovered in the Kuwaiti desert in January, prompting heightened concerns about the safety and welfare of Filipino workers in Kuwait.