RI workers in Kuwait legally protected

JAKARTA (JP): The Kuwaiti government guaranteed yesterday that all Indonesians and other foreigners legally working in the country are protected by laws.

Ahmed Khaled al-Khulaib, the Kuwaiti Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, said he believed his country is among the few in the world that legally protects expatriate workers.

"We welcome and respect the international laws on workers," he said after signing a memorandum of understanding between Indonesia and Kuwait on recruitment more local skilled workers.

The memorandum includes exchange of information and enhancing of bilateral teamwork in an effort to promote labor cooperation between the two countries through diplomatic channels.

Al-Khulaib said that Kuwait has a law that explicitly grants protection to foreign workers.

"Every worker who feels abused can file a complaint with the competent officials or file a lawsuit at court. I assure you that they will be guaranteed their rights according to the law," al- Khulaib told reporters at the Ministry of Manpower's office.

To ensure protection of Indonesian workers, the Kuwaiti minister said that he will keep close contacts with his Indonesian counterpart on labor matters.

The memorandum states that the labor relations between the two countries will be managed by a committee, which will discuss details periodically. It is effective for four years and shall be automatically extended for another three years unless one party cancels it.

Indonesian Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief confirmed that the 3,000 mostly skilled Indonesian workers in Kuwait are well- protected legally.

"They are quite aware of their rights. There has hardly been any complaints from Indonesian workers in Kuwait," Latief said, adding that they are paid between US$700 and US$1,500 a month.

According to the latest ministry report, up until March 1996, Indonesia had sent almost 950,000 workers abroad.

Al-Khulaib said that last year, Kuwait issued up to 70,000 work permits for foreigners. He promised he will encourage companies to employ more Indonesian workers.

Latief said Indonesia would like to send more workers but, unfortunately, the country has yet to build more job training centers.

He said that Kuwait needs more Indonesians to fill vacancies in both the private and government sectors. (16)