KUWAITT CITY, March 23: The parliamentary Human Rights Committee postponed Tuesday deliberations on the domestic labor draft bill as it needs further revision, says Committee Rapporteur Mohammed Hayef. Stating the Legislative Affairs Committee referred the bill to its human rights counterpart for approval, Hayef explained the latter postponed discussions in this regard as it needs more time to amend certain stipulations.  He confirmed the bill protects the welfare of domestic workers but the committee, along with representatives from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), has agreed on the need to reformulate it to serve the interests of both the household workers and the domestic labor offices.

Hayef said the panel looked into the possible problems that the authorities might face in providing shelter to runaway maids, in addition to the repatriation costs.  He stressed the ministry promised to address the issue and it will not hold the citizens accountable for the absconding maids.
In another parliamentary development, MP Falah Al-Sawagh has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to sign a contract with security companies to provide qualified female Arab and Kuwaiti security guards to schools for girls and primary schools for boys with female administration employees, especially during the women’s official work hours — from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.  He suggested the male security guards should be assigned to the afternoon and evening shifts.

Pointing out women can efficiently carry out the tasks of male security guards in schools, Al-Sawagh said the functions of male security guards in schools include watching the entry and exit points, registering names of visitors, and preventing the teachers and students from going out during school hours without obtaining permission from the school director.  He contended many laws have been issued on the rights of women and their vital role in the society.  He added women have also been given a chance to join the military — one of the difficult fields.