Indian Ambassador briefed the community on the MoU between India and Kuwait for cooperation in the recruitment of domestic workers during an Open house held at the embassy auditorium.

India and Kuwait signed an MoU for cooperation in the recruitment of Domestic Workers during the visit of Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in June 2021.

“This MoU addresses most of the issues of concern for Indian Domestic Workers and Kuwaiti employers by streamlining the procedure for recruitment and also ensure the welfare and working conditions of Indian domestic workers,” Ambassador said.

The MoU brings the Indian Domestic Workers in Kuwait within the ambit of a legal framework which streamlines their recruitment and provides them with protection of law. Embassy already have an employment contract which the Embassy attests for all ECR category Domestic Service Workers, which now becomes mandatory for all Domestic Service Workers.

Most of the domestic workers in the Embassy Shelter are those who came to Kuwait through illegal channels on tourist visas to third countries and then to Kuwait on Domestic Workers visas. “We should not encourage and entertain illegal agents and middlemen,” Ambassador said and he also urged people to follow proper channel for travel to Kuwait. Ambassador also urged the community associations to create awareness in India on the need to follow the procedures prescribed by Government of India to travel to Kuwait for work.

Embassy was able to arrest and deport many illegal middlemen, while some are on the run. You have an embassy here which is your home away from home, Ambassador said.

There are over three lakh Domestic Workers in Kuwait.