Diplomatic tensions between Philippines, Kuwait escalate
Diplomatic tensions related to worker abuses between the Philippines and Kuwait continue escalating with the Southeast Asian nation showing its dissatisfaction with Kuwait’s expulsion of the Filipino Ambassador on April 25.
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa speaks at a press conference on April 21 (Source: AFP)Hanoi (VNA) – Diplomatic tensions related to worker abuses between the Philippines and Kuwait continue escalating with the Southeast Asian nation showing its dissatisfaction with Kuwait’s expulsion of the Filipino Ambassador on April 25.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on April 26 sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of Kuwait conveying its strong surprise and great displeasures over the declaration of Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa as persona non grata, the continued detention of four Filipinos hired by the Philippine Embassy, and the issuance of arrest warrants against three diplomatic personnel.
These acts are inconsistent with the assurances and representations made by the Kuwaiti Ambassador on the various concerns that were brought to his attention by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano during their meeting in Manila on April 24, said the DFA.
Tensions between the two countries have lasted for three months, starting from information that several Philippine workers had been abused to death by Kuwaiti employers.
The two countries then coordinated to make an agreement to protect labourers working abroad after the Philippines banned their labourers from going to Kuwait for work.
However, on April 25, Kuwait requested the Philippine Ambassador to leave the country for a week, and recalled its Ambassador for consultations after the Philippine Embassy conducted rescue operation of mostly distraught Philippine maids who allegedly experienced cruelty in the hands of their Kuwaiti employers.
According to the DFA, domestic maids account for over 65 percent out of the 260,000 Philippine workers in Kuwait.
In February, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a ban on the sending of new workers to Kuwait in the wake of numerous complaints that Philippine workers there are severely abused and maltreated.-VNA
You should also see
Airports to offer 9,000 domestic flights during upcoming holidays
Vietnamese airlines are expected to operate 9,000 flights on domestic routes to meet the travel demand during the upcoming National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holidays, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).
See more
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
World
Argentinian media praises Dien Bien Phu Victory
Argentinian newspapers have called Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954) a symbol of the national liberation movement of oppressed and colonialised peoples worldwide.
World
Laos speeds up granting licences to foreign workers
Laos's Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare plans to issue visas to illegal foreign workers and extend permits to legal ones so that they can continue to work in the country.
