KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) has called for the immediate enactment of a bill on protecting domestic workers.
In a press statement Wednesday, the society revealed they discussed the issue with the Human Rights Committee at the Parliament on July 18. They said many international human rights institutions like the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and US State Department, as well as prestigious newspapers like the New York Times, have been focusing on the human rights situation in Kuwait, especially after the release of a comprehensive report in this regard on May 12.
Urging the Cabinet and Parliament to quickly take the necessary steps to protect the rights of domestic workers, the society asked both authorities to prepare for the ratification of a bill that guarantees the rights of over 650,000 household workers in the country.

“Since the holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching, we hope the Kuwaiti household heads will take serious steps to defend and respect the rights of the workers in their homes, instead of forcing them to work long hours without proper rest. Islam teaches believers to treat workers fairly and with compassion, we hope our families deal with these workers in a humane manner,” the statement added.
In another development, MP Hassan Jowhar stressed the importance of the recent tour of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to South American countries, as it clearly reflects the commitment of Kuwait’s parliamentary panels to achieve national development goals through the parliamentary friendship committees.

Jowhar pointed out the premier has been honored with a membership to the parliamentary friendship committees in the South American countries. He said this marks the beginning of a strong economic cooperation between Kuwait and these nations.
Meanwhile, Jowhar praised the way the government and Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah has been dealing with the housing issue. He said he is looking forward to the completion of many vital projects to ensure a bright future for Kuwait and its people.
Commenting on the previous statement of Sheikh Ahmad on the future housing projects, Jowhar asserted, “We fully support the encouraging statements of the government but we want to see the real implementation on the ground, considering the number of housing grant applications has been increasing at an alarming rate.”

Jowhar opined the calls for holding an emergency session during Ramadan to discuss the proposed funding for the housing and development projects is a clear manifestation of the lawmakers’ determination to push the wheels of development forward in the interest of the nation.
Moreover, MP Rola Dashti thanked the prime minister for pushing for the appointment of qualified Kuwaiti women to various leadership posts. She stressed the mandate of the Fatwa and Legislation Department and the concerned minister on protecting the rights of women is a step in the right direction. She wished for the issuance of decrees to ensure the appointment of women to leadership posts in the judiciary and government.