Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday that a ban on Filipino workers from heading to Kuwait that's been in effect since February would now be permanent, inflaming a dispute sparked by complaints of the abuse of Filipina housemaids and workers in the Gulf country. "For the household workers whose employers want them to stay, that is their choice, but choose the better option," Duterte said. The Philippines banned workers entirely from Kuwait after the discovery of Joanna Demafelis' body in a freezer in February. Kuwait and the Philippines have since been negotiating for new rules governing Filipino workers there. It's likely both sides want to negotiate an end to the dispute, especially ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in May.

Source: ABC News April 29, 2018 10:33 UTC