<p class="title">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte today said the temporary ban on Filipinos going to work in Kuwait is now permanent, intensifying a diplomatic standoff over the treatment of migrant workers in the Gulf nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte in February imposed a prohibition on workers heading to Kuwait following the murder of a Filipina maid whose body was found stuffed in a freezer in the Gulf state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The crisis deepened after Kuwaiti authorities last week ordered Manila's envoy to leave the country over videos of Philippine embassy staff helping workers in Kuwait flee allegedly abusive employers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The two nations had been negotiating a labour deal that Philippine officials said could result in the lifting of the ban but the recent escalation in tensions has put an agreement in doubt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The ban stays permanently. There will be no more recruitment for, especially domestic helpers. No more," Duterte told reporters in his hometown in the southern city of Davao.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Around 262,000 Filipinos work in Kuwait, nearly 60 percent of them domestic workers, according to the Philippines' foreign department.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Last week the Philippines apologised over the rescue videos but Kuwaiti officials announced they were expelling Manila's ambassador and recalling their own envoy from the Southeast Asian nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte today described the situation in Kuwait as a "calamity".</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said he would bring home Filipina maids who suffered abuse as he appealed to workers who wanted to stay in the oil-rich state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I would like to address to their patriotism: come home. No matter how poor we are, we will survive. The economy is doing good and we are short of our workers," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">About 10 million Filipinos work abroad to seek high-paying jobs they were unable to find at home, and their remittances are a major pillar of the Philippine economy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte said workers returning from Kuwait could find employment as English teachers in China, citing improved ties with Beijing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Describing China as a "true friend", he said he would use Chinese aid to fund the workers' repatriation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte added that he was not after "vengeance" against Kuwait and did not "nurture hate".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But if my people are considered a burden to some of them, to some government mandated to protect them and uphold their rights, then we will do our part," he said.</p>
<p class="title">Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte today said the temporary ban on Filipinos going to work in Kuwait is now permanent, intensifying a diplomatic standoff over the treatment of migrant workers in the Gulf nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte in February imposed a prohibition on workers heading to Kuwait following the murder of a Filipina maid whose body was found stuffed in a freezer in the Gulf state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The crisis deepened after Kuwaiti authorities last week ordered Manila's envoy to leave the country over videos of Philippine embassy staff helping workers in Kuwait flee allegedly abusive employers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The two nations had been negotiating a labour deal that Philippine officials said could result in the lifting of the ban but the recent escalation in tensions has put an agreement in doubt.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The ban stays permanently. There will be no more recruitment for, especially domestic helpers. No more," Duterte told reporters in his hometown in the southern city of Davao.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Around 262,000 Filipinos work in Kuwait, nearly 60 percent of them domestic workers, according to the Philippines' foreign department.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Last week the Philippines apologised over the rescue videos but Kuwaiti officials announced they were expelling Manila's ambassador and recalling their own envoy from the Southeast Asian nation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte today described the situation in Kuwait as a "calamity".</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said he would bring home Filipina maids who suffered abuse as he appealed to workers who wanted to stay in the oil-rich state.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I would like to address to their patriotism: come home. No matter how poor we are, we will survive. The economy is doing good and we are short of our workers," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">About 10 million Filipinos work abroad to seek high-paying jobs they were unable to find at home, and their remittances are a major pillar of the Philippine economy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte said workers returning from Kuwait could find employment as English teachers in China, citing improved ties with Beijing.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Describing China as a "true friend", he said he would use Chinese aid to fund the workers' repatriation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Duterte added that he was not after "vengeance" against Kuwait and did not "nurture hate".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But if my people are considered a burden to some of them, to some government mandated to protect them and uphold their rights, then we will do our part," he said.</p>