Manama: Manila does not have immediate plans to impose a ban on the employment of Filipino domestic helpers in Kuwait despite the brutal murders of two Filipinas in the Gulf country last month, embassy officials said.
"Until now, there have been no directives issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on placing a ban on Filipino domestic helpers in Kuwait," Rea Oreta, the Philippine Vice-Consul, said.
"A ban is not the only solution to the problem that Filipinos from several sectors have been facing in the country. We would like to reiterate that no discussions have been held in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila on the ban," Oreta was quoted in the Kuwait Times daily.
Several human rights groups and individuals have reportedly been calling for the ban in Kuwait. However, Oreta insisted that a ban was not the only solution and that there were other options available for the government before such a decision is made.
"I am sure that a ban will be the last option. Besides, even if the decision [to ban domestic helpers] is approved, Filipinos will still be able to enter Kuwait through other channels. So, I think the ban is not on the table right now as we believe it is not the only solution."
