Kuwait Said To Have Suspended Work Permits, Visit Visas For Indians Confusion As Envoy Denies Pulling Maid Guarantee KUWAIT CITY, Dec 8: Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Sunil Jain has vehemently denied reports that the Embassy rescinded its decision to impose KD 720 (equivalent to $2,500) bank guarantee on Kuwaitis who intend to recruit domestic workers from India. This came after an earlier report that the issue has been resolved and the Embassy agreed to cancel the decision. Commenting on the issue, the Ambassador disclosed in a text message to the Arab Times that the bank guarantee has been implemented since Sept 11. He added, “We are trying to resolve this issue diplomatically.” Earlier, Assistant Undersecretary for Passports and Citizenship Affairs Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah issued a directive suspending the issuance of work permits for Indians in line with the decision of the ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, which had rejected the bank guarantee; saying it is tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of Kuwait. He stressed the Interior Ministry and all concerned authorities are keen on protecting the rights of workers irrespective of their nationalities as per the Kuwaiti labor law. Meanwhile, security sources confirmed that Kuwait intends to open new outlets for hiring foreign workers, indicating the government will soon sign agreements to start again the recruitment of domestic workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh and other Asian and African countries. They explained this move is aimed at stopping monopoly since the cost for hiring domestic personnel now stands at KD 1,500. MP Faisal Al-Kandari has reiterated his objection to the decision of the Indian Embassy to impose KD 720 financial guarantee on Kuwaitis who want to hire housemaids from India. In a press statement, Al-Kandari affirmed support for calls to stop the recruitment of Indian workers while urging the government to push for the cancellation of the Indian Embassy’s decision. He praised the stand of the Interior Ministry, represented by Assistant Undersecretary for Passports and Citizenship Affairs Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah, on the issue as it showed no sign of weakness and tolerance. He said this is what people expect from State officials, suggesting that any foreign worker coming to the country should be paid wages at the end of every month. Affirming the country protects the rights of all workers in accordance with international conventions and resolutions strictly followed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor through the Public Authority for Manpower, Al-Kandari asserted there are several methods to safeguard the rights of all employees, including domestic workers; but not to the extent of requiring citizens to shell out any amount. He repeated his demand for the government to immediately stop the implementation of the decision due to its serious implications, particularly the possibility of encouraging other embassies to take the same step. He argued that at this point, the primary beneficiaries are the influential people and decision-makers in countries which send their citizens to work abroad while the victims are Kuwaitis and the foreign workers. He said the government must form a ministerial committee whose members are from the Foreign Affairs, Interior, Cabinet Affairs, Social Affairs and Labor ministries to address the problem. He recommended suspension of recruitment or issuance of visas to the citizens of countries whose embassies are interfering in issues related to employment contracts and agreements signed with Kuwait. In another development, Human Rights Committee Chairman MP Abdulhameed Dashti disclosed Kuwait’s second periodic report will be discussed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Jan 28, 2015. He said the report includes responses to all queries and comments on human rights. He also confirmed the implementation of 123 out 159 recommendations from 2010 till date. He explained the report, which highlights the role of the country in protecting human rights, was done according to the approved principles on human rights. He said the priorities of the National Assembly include draft bills on the establishment of the National Bureau for Human Rights, Family Court, Child and Juvenile Law. In addition, MP Ouda Al-Ruwaie, a member of the committee, revealed the report will be reviewed on Tuesday in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities. He said the panel members have earlier presented their comments on the rights of workers, Bedouns, citizenship cancellation, gender issues and death penalty
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:29:41 +0000
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