Kuwait may impose ban on recruitment of Indian domestic helps, labourers

Kuwait is reportedly imposing a ban on the recruitment of Indian domestic helps and private sector workers which would be a setback to Indians going to Gulf for employment.

According to Gulf News, the ban option was decided after discussions between Kuwaiti officials from the foreign and interior ministries and Indian ambassador to Kuwait failed to overcome differences over a decision by India to impose a 2,500 dollar bank guarantee for Indian domestic helpers working abroad.

However, the ban has not been announced formally. The ambassador during the talks had reportedly said that there was a possibility to reconsider the bank guarantee over Indian males working in Kuwait while insisted that it can be imposed in the case of female domestic helpers.

The diplomat said that the guarantee is aimed to protect helpers' rights and that it had been implemented in many European countries and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states without any objection from authorities.

However, Assistant Undersecretary for Passports and Residency Mazen Al Jarrah said that the Kuwaiti parliament would not allow the guarantee condition imposed by Indian authorities.