KD 33m undeservedly paid as aid: official

Kuwaiti authorities refuse clause on domestic workers

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Social Affairs Muslim Al-Subai’e revealed that a sum of KD33 million was disbursed in aid to 9,840 non-deserving debtors, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Al-Subai’e, who is also the acting Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs, said the ministry succeeded in recovering KD13 million out of the amount. He added the ministry considers situation of the debtors. This is the reason for instructing the concerned authority to reduce the rate of monthly deductions to the legally bearable minimum possible from the point of humanity.

He revealed that the ministry has completed preparation and reviewing draft laws, in collaboration with the Fatwa and Legislation Department at National Assembly. He indicated the most visible of the laws entails amendment of some provisions of public aid law. Another one is about voluntary works, while the third one concerns private and cooperative societies. He reiterated all those bills have been transmitted to the Council of Ministers to be followed up and forwarded to the National Assembly.

Relevant Kuwaiti authorities have declined to approve the condition inserted in the proposed contract with authorities in Manila to allow domestic workers sue their Kuwaiti sponsors in the

Philippines or any other part of the world, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The daily quoting sources pointed out that the proposed contract, which is currently honored by some domestic labor offices, violates Kuwaiti laws and tramples on the sovereignty of Kuwait, stressing the context of the contract constitute a major point of dispute between Kuwait and the Philippines and could impede the signing of an agreement any time soon.

Sources explained that some domestic labor offices are compelled to use the Philippines’ contract version based on conditions stated by authorities in Manila in order to facilitate procedures for bringing Filipino domestic workers to Kuwait. However, offices proven to have used the aforementioned contract will be punished by suspending their activities for six months.

Official sources said the contract currently recognized is Kuwait’s version, which does not discriminate any nationality on their rights and obligations and remains applicable to all without exception- as per Article 18 of Law 68/2015.

They pointed out that the Philippines, as per agreement, ensures the recruitment, entry and repatriation of its domestic workers under the terms of this agreement - in line with rules and regulations stated between the two countries.

Earlier, diplomatic sources revealed that the Philippines had signed employment contracts for its workers all over the world, and the bilateral committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the final details related to terms of the contract within the last week of November.