India-Kuwait signs pact to protect rights of Indian domestic workers

New Delhi, June 12: In the major development, India on Friday inked a pact with Kuwait to protect the rights of Indian domestic workers. The pact will protect the rights of Indian domestic workers by introducing employment contracts that provide them with the protection of Law. The MoU focus on the signing of contracts that ensure the rights and obligations of both Kuwaiti employers and Indian domestic workers.

 

 

The MoU was signed by Indian Ambassador Sibi George and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Majdi Ahmad Al-Dhafiri in the presence of visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.

 

Speaking about the MOU EAM said, "streamlines and strengthens the position of our workers in Kuwait" and it is "an important step which would encourage greater Indian presence" in the country.

 

 

 

The MoU brings the Indian domestic workers in Kuwait within the ambit of a legal framework that streamlines their recruitment and provides them with the protection of the law. Under the MoU, a 24-hour mechanism will be established to assist domestic workers. Also, a joint committee will be established for periodic review and assessment and a follow-up to the implementation of MoU.

 

 

According to the Ministry, over one million Indians reside in Kuwait. India is amongst the largest trading partners of Kuwait and the Gulf nation is a major supplier of oil to India.

 

It should be noted that EAM was on a 3-day visit to the country as part of increased political engagement between the 2 countries. During his visit, he met Kuwait's PM Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and held delegation-level talks with FM Sheikh (Dr.) Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.

 

 

 

The Indian embassy has an Indian Workers’ Welfare Centre which provides a toll-free 24x7 telephonic helpline for Indian domestic workers, a labor complaint redressal mechanism, and accommodation for domestic workers in distress, and other services.

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