Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT3769
2005-08-23 11:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

INTERIOR MINISTER RESTATES KUWAIT'S COMMITMENT TO

Tags:  PHUM PREL PGOV KCRM SOCI ECON KU 
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231125Z Aug 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003769 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KCRM SOCI ECON KU
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER RESTATES KUWAIT'S COMMITMENT TO
PROTECT EXPATRIATE WORKERS

REF: A. KUWAIT 3588


B. KUWAIT 3532 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003769

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KCRM SOCI ECON KU
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER RESTATES KUWAIT'S COMMITMENT TO
PROTECT EXPATRIATE WORKERS

REF: A. KUWAIT 3588


B. KUWAIT 3532 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) During an August 20 meeting with First Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of the Interior Shaykh Nawaf Al-Sabah,
the Ambassador emphasized the need for the Government of
Kuwait to maintain momentum on recent efforts to improve the
working conditions of expatriate laborers and combat
trafficking in persons (ref B). He stressed the need for
measures to protect domestic workers, who fall under the
authority of the MOI and not the Ministry of Social Affairs
and Labor (MOSAL). As an example, he encouraged the GOK to
extend legal protection to domestic employees and restated
the need to work closely with international bodies such as
International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM),noting their expertise in
establishing shelters and legal consultation and labor
reconciliation centers. Shaykh Nawaf informed the Ambassador
that the MOI was an active partner in the interministerial
committee headed by MOSAL, and that the GOK was working hard
to end human trafficking. He said the GOK sought to be a
safe place for expatriate workers and steps were underway to
stop individual acts of abuse and inform the public of
international labor standards. He added that the GOK was
reviewing existing labor laws and would coordinate with the
UN on setting appropriate labor standards.


2. (C) In a separate meeting, Abdullatif Al-Rodan,
Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, told the

SIPDIS
Ambassador the GOK was very serious about combating
trafficking in persons and the Prime Minister was personally
involved in anti-TIP measures. He noted that the Council had
discussed TIP during its August 13-14 meetings and was
expected to make TIP-related announcements within weeks.
(Note: Ambassador raised the issue with the Prime Minister on
August 23. Report by septel. End note.)


3. (C) Comment: Shaykh Nawaf and Al-Rodan were well versed
in the GOK's efforts to improve labor conditions for
expatriate workers, indicating engagement at the highest
levels of government. The GOK is determined to improve
working conditions for foreign workers and has made steady
progress on all elements of the action plan as well as
self-identified areas for improvement. Re-designation of
Kuwait's TIP ranking to Tier 2 Watch List would recognize the
accomplishments made to date (ref B) and propel action toward
additional improvements. End Comment.

*********************************************
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/

You can also access this site through the
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*********************************************
LEBARON