Kuwait has deported around 700 Filipinos in the past three months, according to local media reports. Arabic-language daily Al Rai reported that the men and women were put on flights, either at their own expense or paid for by the national embassy.
The move was made to prevent Kuwaiti sponsors from having to pay for air tickets, said the Ministry of Interior. The money saved on air tickets is thought to be between KD250 ($814) and KD350 ($1,140) per passenger.
Citing unnamed security sources, the Al-Rai report said there had been a significant decline in the number of absconding Filipino workers in the country. A Philippines embassy shelter in the country, which had acted as a refuge for workers violating local laws, has closed.
Approximately 500 Filipinos seeking sanctuary at the embassy shelter were arrested. They have since been sent to the Philippines by the General Department of Deportation. Around 130 people were detained due to travel restrictions imposed due to ongoing court cases for alleged violations including theft or financial cases.
