UN PLANS FORUM IN KUWAIT ON EXPAT LABOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000305 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND G/TIP E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016 TAGS: PHUM ELAB KCRM UN KU SUBJECT: UN PLANS FORUM IN KUWAIT ON EXPAT LABOR REF: KUWAIT 223 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador met with Moez Doraid, UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative, on January 25. Doraid raised the possibility of holding a UN-sponsored forum on expatriate labor in Kuwait to bring countries that traditionally send and receive expatriate labor together with UN agencies and the GOK. In asking for USG assistance in developing the concept of the forum, Doraid outlined his concerns on getting the GOK's blessing and participation even though the forum would likely highlight current GOK domestic labor practices. End summary. Forum On Expatriate Labor -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 25 Moez Doraid, the UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative, discussed UN plans to host an international forum in Kuwait on expatriate labor. According to Doraid, the forum, tentatively titled "Forum on Expatriate Labor for Development; Mutual Rights," is in the developmental stage, but the concept is to bring together government and civil society participants from governments which send laborers overseas and countries which receive laborers within the GCC. Noting that the six largest labor exporting countries from Asia and the Arab world would be invited (Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Egypt),Doraid stated that the forum's objective would be to come out with a "Kuwait Declaration" regarding the rights of expatriate labor. ¶3. (C) Speaking on forum planning, Doraid stated that UN agencies such as UNIFAM and UNICEF have offered to present their own program segments while UNHCR and UNILO will provide technical assistance and possible funding. "If the GOK was not willing to allow the forum to be held in country," Doraid added, "then ESCWA already offered to host it in Beirut." Doraid also said that that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was "on board" for the forum and could help the UN learn from the recent IOM gathering in Asia. Waiting for GOK Buy-in -------------- ¶4. (C) Doraid admitted that "in terms of government buy-in, we have not had as much progress as we hoped." Doraid told the Ambassador that his meetings with the GOK to discuss the forum were canceled due to the Amir's death and subsequent mourning period but that his office was trying to reschedule them as soon as possible. Explaining that the UN would only hold the forum in Kuwait "with the government's blessing and support," Doraid shared that the UN was looking for a commitment in terms of some funding but, more importantly, it wanted support for the forum and official participation by the GOK. Request for USG Input -------------- ¶5. (C) The UNDP representative asked for USG support of the upcoming forum in the form of help in shaping the substance of the conference and advice on the declaration. Noting that the Ambassador's November press round-table on trafficking in persons (reftel) had made some of the same points he hoped the forum would address, Doraid said he looked to balance a "positive approach with a practical balance" of steps. The Ambassador shared his view that expatriate labor problems are most acute amongst domestic laborers. He recommended that the UNDP focus on this vulnerable group which has little protection. ¶6. (C) The Ambassador laid out a practical approach to addressing the domestics issue at the forum. "Offer maids a solution or refuge whether it is shelters, legal advice, or a flight home," he counseled. Some embassies have already contracted out for shelters. The Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor should also be included. The Ambassador raised a concern about lending support for a conference which will use limited resources and which will make a declaration that the GOK might ignore. Doraid countered that IOM will be setting up a regional center in Kuwait funded by the GOK, although the funding part has not yet come through. He stated that he felt a declaration in Kuwait would make the GOK and Kuwaitis more accountable and that a declaration would provide "ammo" to hold reformers accountable. He added that the IOM was working on a draft labor law which would be considered by the National Assembly. ¶7. (C) Other suggestions the Ambassador offered included using the forum to reinforce concepts such as the dignity of labor. Educating employers on returning value for work KUWAIT 00000305 002 OF 002 performed should be a key point of focus. The forum should also address the role of the Ministry of the Interior since it oversees rules for domestics, not the Ministry of Labor. ********************************************* 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