In Kuwait’s bid to provide decent jobs and better pays for its citizens, the government will establish new labour agreements with Bangladesh, India, Philippines, and Sri Lanka for the recruitment of domestic workers according to Hind Al-Sabeeh, Minister of Social Affairs and State for Economic Affairs. Specific labour arrangement details have yet been disclosed.
Sabeeh also shared that a new online system is currently in the works which will allow employers to select household service workers based on their preferred nationality and age qualifications. Also, payment transactions will be processed via the online application. This method will eliminate corruption and ensure that the rights of all parties are well-considered. Moreover, work is being done to take care of illegal recruitment offices which do not meet labour standards and regulations, said Sabeeh.
Kuwait Seeks to Forge New Labour Recruitment Arrangements with 4 Asian Countries
A month ago, the director of the Kuwaiti Union of Domestic Labour Office, Khaled Al-Dakhnan shared that an earlier agreement regarding domestic labour between the Philippines and the Gulf State is facing some rough patches after Manila demanded Kuwaiti recruitment agencies to place an insurance deposit of USD 10,000 in banks to pay Filipinos in case their contract is terminated or if their salaries are withheld by their employers.
There has been much interest in the topic of labour rights of domestic workers in the country, especially after agreements have been reached between the Philippines and Kuwait following diplomatic rows and human rights challenges which have led to a temporary labour ban placed on the Gulf State.
According to Minister Sabeeh, the new labour recruitment agreements will be signed by relevant authorities from the four identified countries after the Eid festivities which are due later this month. The new labour recruitment arrangements aim to develop seamless recruitment policies including fair and relevant labour regulations which will benefit all parties involved, the minister shared.