MANILA — Tensions between Kuwait and the Philippines have been further inflamed after a mounting dispute over the treatment of Filipino workers in the oil-rich Arab state resulted in the expulsion of the Philippine ambassador this week.

The ambassador, Renato Villa, on Wednesday was given one week to leave Kuwait just days after Philippine Embassy staff members attempted a so-called rescue of Filipino domestic workers who they said had been abused by their Kuwaiti employers. The effort, which critics have described as a stunt, was recorded and posted on social media, embarrassing Kuwait.

About 260,000 Filipinos live in Kuwait and many of them are employed as domestic workers. Cumulatively, they send millions of dollars back to the Philippines in remittances each year. But the country’s relationship with Kuwait has been stormy for much of this year after the body of a Filipina maid was discovered inside her employer’s freezer in February, prompting the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, to bar citizens from taking new jobs in the Arab country.

Mr. Villa’s expulsion came as the two countries were negotiating an end to the travel ban, and was met with outrage by Philippine officials.