GOK ADVISED OF PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 004219

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ELAB KDEM SOCI KWMN KCRM KU TIP
SUBJECT: GOK ADVISED OF PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION ON
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

REF: A. KUWAIT 4031

B. KUWAIT 4007

C. STATE 163401

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


1. (C) On September 27, PolChief advised Hamad Al-Mashan,
Second Secretary in the America's Department, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, of the President's September 21
determination that Kuwait would remain a Tier 3 country with
regard to Trafficking in Persons (TIP),but that sanctions
would be waived for U.S. national interests. Based on local
press reports of the determination and sanctions waiver,
Al-Mashan, like many of GOK officials, believed that Kuwait's
ranking had been elevated to Tier 2. He appreciated the
clarification and said he would share the determination
memorandum with his superiors and with colleagues at the
Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.


2. (C) PolChief further advised Al-Mashan of the six-month
review of Kuwait's ranking and expressed hope that the new
labor law would soon be approved and minimum wage standards
implemented. She encouraged progress on establishing a
shelter for domestics and recommended the GOK find a way to
better and more easily identify those who have been
prosecuted for TIP-type violations. Al-Mashan said he
expected the labor law to be adopted shortly after Parliament
reconvenes on October 17 and reported the GOK was almost
ready to impose the new wage standards. He agreed that the
focus should not be on ratings, but rather on measures the
GOK could adopt to improve the working conditions of its
substantial expatriate population. He restated the GOK's
commitment to combating TIP in concert with the U.S.


3. (C) Comment: Post is planning specific public and
private outreach steps to reinforce the message that Kuwait
remains at Tier 3 and that actions need to be taken to
improve its performance. We are also beginning to get the
attention of our European colleagues on TIP issues and are
engaging locally with the United Nations Development
Programme, the International Labor Organization, and the
International Organization for Migration. End Comment.

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

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website
*********************************************
LEBARON