PH ‘confident’ to resolve issues with Kuwait over visa issuance suspension

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) — The government said Friday it is ready to resolve any issues with Kuwait over the visa issuance suspension.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Kuwaiti has informed Manila of its decision suspending the issuance of new entry visas for newly hired Filipinos “effective immediately.”

The agency did not state Kuwait’s reason for the visa issuance suspension.

READ: Kuwait suspends issuance of visas for Filipinos

The DFA said government would discuss and resolve any bilateral issues “in an amicable manner.”

“In the case of Kuwait, we are confident that with our friendly relations and strong people-to-people links, we shall be able to find a mutually satisfactory solution that will take into account the need to provide maximum protection and access to justice for all our nationals working in the country,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers expressed its readiness to aid affected Filipinos in Kuwait.

"We shall continue to pursue the track of labor diplomacy in ensuring the welfare and safety of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while we await more details as to the rationale and issues surrounding the action of the Kuwait government," the DMW said in a statement.

The department also said it is working closely with the DFA and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, as well as Philippine recruitment agencies and Filipino communities in addressing the situation.

The DFA said around 290,000 Filipinos live and work in the Gulf state.