Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04KUWAIT1105
2004-04-05 08:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
TIP: MINISTERIAL DECREE BANS UNDER-18 CAMEL
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001105
SIPDIS
FOR G/TIP, NEA/REA, NEA/ARP, DRL
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: TIP: MINISTERIAL DECREE BANS UNDER-18 CAMEL
RACERS
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001105
SIPDIS
FOR G/TIP, NEA/REA, NEA/ARP, DRL
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: TIP: MINISTERIAL DECREE BANS UNDER-18 CAMEL
RACERS
1. MFA has just faxed us a Decree by the Minister of Social
Affairs and Labor, number 152 of 2004, dated March 24, 2004,
effective the date of publication.
2. The Decree (in Arabic) flatly bans the employment of
children under age 18 in camel racing. Separately, it bans
their employment in "economic or industrial activities
hazardous to their health or safety" unless for purposes of
technical training in accordance with the criteria set out
in the labor law (number 38 of 1964). The decree imposes
additional conditions on "participants in camel races":
physical fitness, minimum weight 45 kgs., written consent of
parent or guardian, and insurance.
3. This Decree is the GOK's strongest legal prohibition yet
on employment of minors in camel racing, outranking Decision
number 248 of 2003 by the Public Authority for Youth and
Sports, which it cites in the preamble. It also eliminates
an incoherency: the permissible weight range for camel
jockeys had been 25 - 45 kgs., which clearly envisioned the
use of children.
4. The Decree appears to retain a major loophole: the
reference to parental consent implies that the only thing
being banned is the "employment" of minors, not their
"participation." We will seek clarification from the GOK as
to how it intends to ensure this loophole is not used to
perpetuate the use of TCN children. From our dialogue with
MFA, we believe that intent is present. MORAN
SIPDIS
FOR G/TIP, NEA/REA, NEA/ARP, DRL
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KU
SUBJECT: TIP: MINISTERIAL DECREE BANS UNDER-18 CAMEL
RACERS
1. MFA has just faxed us a Decree by the Minister of Social
Affairs and Labor, number 152 of 2004, dated March 24, 2004,
effective the date of publication.
2. The Decree (in Arabic) flatly bans the employment of
children under age 18 in camel racing. Separately, it bans
their employment in "economic or industrial activities
hazardous to their health or safety" unless for purposes of
technical training in accordance with the criteria set out
in the labor law (number 38 of 1964). The decree imposes
additional conditions on "participants in camel races":
physical fitness, minimum weight 45 kgs., written consent of
parent or guardian, and insurance.
3. This Decree is the GOK's strongest legal prohibition yet
on employment of minors in camel racing, outranking Decision
number 248 of 2003 by the Public Authority for Youth and
Sports, which it cites in the preamble. It also eliminates
an incoherency: the permissible weight range for camel
jockeys had been 25 - 45 kgs., which clearly envisioned the
use of children.
4. The Decree appears to retain a major loophole: the
reference to parental consent implies that the only thing
being banned is the "employment" of minors, not their
"participation." We will seek clarification from the GOK as
to how it intends to ensure this loophole is not used to
perpetuate the use of TCN children. From our dialogue with
MFA, we believe that intent is present. MORAN