KUWAIT - Around 200 Filipinos working at Qatar Airways were among the workers served their termination letter Monday.

According to Philippine Labor Attache to Qatar David Des Dicang, the workers termination is effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Dicang said most of those who were terminated were assigned at the technical department such as engineers, maintenance staff and other related jobs.

The workers were all surprised by their sudden termination. The reason stated in the termination letter was redundancy.

The company asked the terminated workers to process all their clearance immediately as they assured them that they will get all their end of service benefits.

Some of those who where terminated have called up the Philippine Overseas Labor Office or POLO for assistance.

Dicang told ABS-CBN News that the Philippine Embassy in Doha and the POLO are now coordinating with the Qatar Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs for assistance especially for those workers who have existing bank loans.

Based on the Ministry of Health report, Qatar has 439 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases as of March 16, 2020 and four of them have recovered.

Qatar has the highest number of COVID-19 cases among the Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC member countries in the region.

As a precautionary measure all schools, public and private universities in Doha were closed last March 10 until further notice.

All incoming flights to Doha will be stopped starting Wednesday, March 18, for a period of 14 days, which will be reviewed, with the exception of air cargo and transit flights, in addition to receiving any Qatari citizens coming from any destination in the world with a 14-day quarantine.

All public transportation has stopped operating, including metro and karwa buses since March 15.

Dining in restaurants, cafes are banned but takeaways, home deliveries are allowed in Qatar.

Cinemas, theaters, children’s play areas, gyms and wedding venues, including those in hotels and museums were closed last March 13.

Some government offices are closed while private offices are still open.

Supermarkets and hospitals remain open.