Embassy enhances community welfare framework; MoU on domestic workers strengthens the legal protection for Indian Domestic workers
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Indian Embassy in Kuwait under the able leadership of Ambassador Sri Sibi George enhanced various community welfare framework.
The recent MoU signed between India and Kuwait during the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on the Recruitment of Domestic Service Workers strengthens the legal protection for Indian Domestic workers in Kuwait.
The MoU streamlines the entire recruitment process for mutual benefit of both the employer and the domestic workers. With this contract driven recruitment mechanism, the cost of recruitment also reduced in both countries. While the MoU secures the right of domestic service workers, as well as the employers, it also provides a legal recourse against the defaulting party who fails to honour the obligations of the contract and for expeditious settlement of cases of violations with specific timelines.
As per the MoU signed between India and Kuwait, domestic workers have the rights to keep their own passport in their possession. A mechanism will be in place to provide 24 X 7 assistance to domestic workers. This also assure transparency in terms of payment of wages.
A Joint Committee will be established to oversee the implementation of the provisions of the MoU and to ensure the rights and welfare of all concerned are secured in accordance with the relevant laws and guidelines.
To enhance the outreach platform, Embassy had also made available the application for Emergency Certificates/ assistance request from Indian Community Welfare Fund/ Feedback on Embassy’s services at various supermarkets frequented by Indian diaspora in addition to Embassy premise and outsourced centres.
Embassy also launched 5 helpline numbers and 12 WhatsApp numbers as a grievance redressal mechanism for the distressed nationals. This is in addition to the 24*7 helpdesk at its premises, which offers various services including registration for COVID-19 vaccination and registration of applications for issuance of Emergency certificates and requests for assistance under ICWF.
As part of its community welfare initiates, embassy provides lunch to all the distressed Indian nationals visiting the Embassy every day.
While providing Air tickets to all the distressed nationals to facilitate their safe return back home, Embassy also offer Medical assistance, free of cost legal assistance etc to the distressed community members.
All issues of Indian nationals in Kuwait, including those of the domestic service workers, are taken up by the Embassy with all concerned, including authorities of the State of Kuwait, the recruitment agencies, the local employers, for dispute resolution and to safeguard the rights and welfare of Indian nationals in Kuwait.
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