The tripartite committee, composed of representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Public Authority for Manpower, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recently announced the implementation of a new ministerial decision regarding recruitment fees for domestic workers in Kuwait. To ensure the smooth enforcement of this decision, inspection tours were conducted at domestic worker recruitment offices across various governorates.
During these inspections, several violations were identified, leading to legal consequences for the respective offices. One of the violations involved the re-employment of recalled workers, which is in violation of Article 24 of Law 68 of 2015. As a result, these offices will face a six-month suspension, as reported by Al-Anba daily.
Additionally, the inspections revealed that 35 offices were recruiting domestic workers without utilizing K-Net devices, contrary to the Ministry of Commerce circulars. In accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 99 of 2022, issued by the Minister of Commerce on August 7, 2022, these offices will also face legal measures, including suspension and referral to the investigation body.
The tripartite committee emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to the law, ministerial decisions, and relevant circulars by owners of labor recruitment offices. By doing so, they can avoid facing legal consequences. Inspection tours are conducted daily to identify and address any violations, ensuring the compliance of domestic worker recruitment offices.
In addition to these efforts, the Public Authority for Manpower has taken steps to launch the smart identity service for workers in labor offices and companies through the “My ID” application. As part of this initiative, offices and companies recruiting domestic workers are now required to issue the worker’s smart ID via the “My ID” application for registered workers. Copies of these IDs must be submitted to the Licensing Department of the Department for Regulating the Recruitment of Domestic Workers. Furthermore, workers should be informed that they may be asked to present their identification when required.
To further protect the rights of citizens and ensure transparency in the recruitment process, the authority encourages individuals visiting recruitment offices to verify the smart ID of domestic workers. It is important to match contracts and receipts and ensure that the workers are affiliated with the respective domestic labor office and company they are dealing with.
By implementing these measures, the tripartite committee, the Public Authority for Manpower, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are working together to regulate and monitor the recruitment of domestic workers in Kuwait. These efforts aim to safeguard the rights of both workers and employers, promoting fair and transparent practices in the labor market.
It is crucial for all stakeholders, including recruitment offices, to understand the importance of compliance with the law and regulations. By doing so, they contribute to the overall welfare and stability of the domestic labor sector in Kuwait.
Source: TimesKuwait
