RI workers in Kuwait legally protected
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)