Cooperation eyed to fight human trafficking, protect the rights of labor

10/05/2025

GENEVA, May 10: Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah, met on Thursday with (Ms.) Manuela Tomei, Assistant Director- General for Governance, Rights and Dialogue at the International Labour Organization (ILO), discussing ways for enhancing cooperation on common issues. During her side meeting with the UN official, as part of Kuwait’s delegation participating in the Universal Periodic Review held in Geneva, Sheikha Jawaher emphasized the strength of the historical ties between Kuwait and the ILO, dating back to Kuwait’s accession to the organization in 1961, which was crowned by the opening of a regional office in Kuwait in 1972.

The two sides discussed the best approaches and practices for enhancing labor rights and combating human trafficking, including exploring frameworks for cooperation and joint coordination across all areas that benefit the labor market, in alignment with human rights standards, national laws, and international treaties ratified by Kuwait. In this context, Sheikha Jawaher highlighted Kuwait’s launch of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2025-2028), which strengthens measures for prevention, protection, accountability, and the elimination of all forms of labor exploitation.

This initiative reflects Kuwait’s commitment to supporting contract workers. She also added that Kuwait is currently undertaking a comprehensive legislative review of relevant national laws, including labor-related regulations. Sheikha Jawaher also emphasized the great importance that Kuwait places on supporting and empowering women in the labor market across both the public and private sectors. This commitment stems from the noble directives of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. She also reviewed the achievements of Kuwaiti women in the labor sector, particularly within the private sector. (KUNA)