The Labor Department has expanded the coverage of the partial deployment ban to Kuwait which now includes Filipino household workers with expired contracts.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III told CNN Philippines that apart from newly hired domestic helpers, balik manggagawa workers are now covered by the ban.
Bello clarified that OFWs who are just taking a vacation and still has an existing contract and skilled workers will not be affected by the ban.
“The skilled workers and the professionals are not covered by this ban,” Bello said.
The Labor Chief said that the ban will take effect immediately and will only be lifted once charges have been filed against the suspects on the killing of Jeanelyn Villavende.
Bello also added that Kuwait officials are expected to visit the country this month to finalize the working agreement on OFWS in Kuwait to ensure their protection.