Kuwait preps for imminent domestic worker shortage

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: As Kuwait prepares for an imminent domestic worker shortage crisis within the next two months, the government is taking proactive measures to mitigate the situation, reports Al-Jarida daily. Bassam Al-Shammari, an expert in domestic worker affairs, disclosed that discussions between Kuwait and Ethiopia will resume shortly to finalize the terms of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) governing the recruitment of domestic workers from Addis Ababa. Once completed, the MoU will be officially signed and put into effect, said Al-Shammari stressing that this initiative will create a new avenue for recruiting domestic workers to address Kuwait’s current shortage. He highlighted the eager anticipation among local agencies for the MoU’s signing, which will facilitate the conclusion of initial recruitment contracts, known as “job orders,” with counterparts in Addis Ababa.

Recruiting workers from Ethiopia is viewed as a viable solution due to the comparatively lower costs associated with their recruitment and salaries, thus easing financial burdens on citizens and residents. In addition to Ethiopia, Al-Shammari underscored the importance of diversifying recruitment sources and avoiding dependence on a few countries. He emphasized the need to rectify any past shortcomings in workers’ rights and to rigorously enforce laws against violators to ensure smooth recruitment processes. Al-Shammari urged relevant government agencies to expedite the signing of the MoU with Ethiopia and to commence recruitment at the earliest to preempt any emergencies that could further strain the domestic worker market.

Furthermore, Al-Shammari emphasized that the willingness of countries exporting domestic workers to engage in bilateral agreements with Kuwait hinges on the effective implementation of Law No. 68/2015 and its executive regulations. These legal frameworks, which introduce new rights for domestic workers, have gained widespread acceptance among stakeholders in the recruitment sector and are expected to bolster Kuwait’s reputation as a destination for workers seeking employment opportunities.

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