http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/11/13/kuwait-not-signing-domestic-workers-treaties-for-now-necessary-to-avoid-conflicts/
Kuwait not signing domestic workers treaties ‘for now’ – Necessary to avoid conflicts KUWAIT: Kuwait will not sign any International Labor Organization treaties pertaining to domestic workers at this moment due to technicalities related to the Gulf state’s regulations, local newspapers reported yesterday quoting senior Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor officials. “The main reason pertains to organizing the domestic labor market just like the professional labor market is organized, which requires a legislation passed by the parliament,” Deputy Director of the Public Relations Department Hadi Al-Enizy said. This was necessary in order to avoid conflicts which could arise if Kuwait signs an international treaty that includes articles which violate “Kuwait’s privacy,” Al-Enizy added. The official further indicated that the interior and justice ministries are currently working on a draft law for domestic workers. “When the law is enforced, the [ILO] treaty can then be signed,” Al-Enizy told Al-Rai. He insisted at the same time that failure to sign on the 189th convention which pertains to decent work for domestic workers “does not mean that Kuwait ignores human rights, but is only waiting for a legislation that reinforces the main goal” of the treaty. Meanwhile, Al-Shahed reported quoting “Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor sources” that the ministry is set to stop working by a law that allowed domestic workers to transfer their visas to the labor sector by the end of this month. The decision was earlier made in order to help meet shortage in some labor fields in the local market. At least 19,000 people benefited from this decision in the past two years, the sources added. —Al-Rai & Al-Shahed [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
