Marcos discusses labor relations with Crown Prince of Kuwait

RIYADH — The Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, had a short bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit here, Malacañang said on Friday.

In a brief statement from the Palace, both the head of state discussed the "labor relations between the two countries."

The government has yet to provide information on the meeting as of writing.

Kuwait is one of the top destinations for Filipino workers abroad, with over 250,000 Filipinos working there. However, there have been recent reports of abuse and exploitation of Filipino workers in Kuwait.

Last May, Kuwait indefinitely suspended the issuance of new visas to Philippine citizens amid concerns between the Gulf nation and Manila concerning safeguarding worker rights and employer prerogatives.

The Middle Eastern country's decision to suspend visas comes in response to the Philippines' earlier move in February to halt the initial deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait.

The Philippines implemented the measure following the discovery of the body of domestic worker Jullebee Ranara in the Kuwaiti desert in January.