NEW SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND LABOR MINISTER LISTS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 003322 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, AND G/TIP; TREASURY FOR HECHT E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016 TAGS: PHUM SOCI PGOV PTER KU TIP KTFN SUBJECT: NEW SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND LABOR MINISTER LISTS CHARITY OVERSIGHT AND WORKER PROTECTION AS PRIORITIES REF: A. KUWAIT 2395 ¶B. KUWAIT 2118 ¶C. KUWAIT 2113 Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: New Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Shaykh Sabah Al-Khalid told the Ambassador August 15 that he intended to improve Kuwait's international image through better oversight of charities and strengthening the legal protections for Kuwait's expatriate worker population. He established a committee of the Ministry and Kuwait's charities as a vehicle for airing grievances and clarifying what charitable activities Kuwaiti law permits. Another aspect of charity oversight was seeking more transparency in how donated funds are spent. He asserted the GOK would prosecute individuals and organizations who use charitable funds to support terror, provided sufficient evidence is provided. The Ambassador advised the Minister the U.S. had concerns about some Kuwaiti organizations and encouraged the GOK to complete its investigation and share the results. The Minister also told the Ambassador he hoped the new Parliament would quickly approve the new labor law. He said his Ministry worked hard on it and consulted with the ILO to ensure that international standards were met. He was not convinced MPs recognized the importance of the law and noted some resistance in the business community. The Ambassador said the new law would contribute to efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations and he encouraged the GOK to continue efforts to improve working conditions for laborers and domestics. He recognized progress in combating Trafficking in Persons and provided the Minister with a copy of the TIP Action Plan containing additional anti-TIP measures the GOK could adopt. End Summary. Improving Kuwait's International Image -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) During an August 15 meeting, new Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL) Shaykh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah told the Ambassador that among his goals was improving the international image of Kuwait. Inadequate protections for Kuwait's foreign workers and improper use of charitable funds tarnished Kuwait's standing in the international community; he hoped passage of a new labor law and stricter regulation of charities would enhance Kuwait's reputation. Opening with a review of charity oversight, he said one of his firsts acts as Minister was to establish a committee of MOSAL and all of Kuwait's Islamic charities. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for open exchanges of ideas and an airing of grievances. He informed the Ambassador that he met with leaders of all of the charities to make clear what the GOK expected from charities and what was permissible under Kuwaiti law. As an example of GOK efforts to better regulate charitable donations, he explained that in response to the public desire to donate money to Lebanon, the GOK established an account at the Central Bank for all contributions to ensure the right people get the money. Enhanced Charity Oversight -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) The Ambassador noted progress made in Kuwait's efforts to monitor and regulate charitable activities and agreed with the Minister on the need for transparency and informing donors how their money was spent. Despite marked improvements in regulating the domestic activities of Kuwaiti charities, he advised the Minister of U.S. concerns about the overseas branches of Kuwaiti charities such as Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS). He said RIHS's overseas activities were under review and pressed the GOK to complete its own investigation and inform the U.S. of its results. Shaykh Sabah Al-Khalid said he welcomed any evidence the U.S. could provide on RIHS activities in support of terrorism and stated that with compelling evidence, the GOK would take additional action. He commented that for five years, RIHS has been accused of terror-related activities, but without real evidence. He informed the Ambassador that Russia recently designated two Kuwaiti charities, but has not yet responded to the GOK's request for evidence. ¶4. (S/NF) The Ambassador also raised RIHS's activities during an August 14 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. The FM stressed the importance of distinguishing between domestic branches of charitable organizations and their overseas offices, noting RIHS Chairman Tariq Al-Essa KUWAIT 00003322 002 OF 002 was well-respected and well-connected in Kuwait. Meeting International Standards on Labor -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) The Minister said another priority was passage of the labor law. He said his Ministry worked long and hard on it and sought ILO input so that the law would be consistent with international standards. The draft has been with the National Assembly since January, but the death of the Amir, succession, parliamentary dissolution, and new elections impeded its passage. He hoped the new Parliament would give the law serious consideration when it reconvened in late October, but admitted the Government would need to lobby hard on its behalf. He bemoaned MPs did not appreciate the significance of a new labor law and accused the business community of not supporting strengthened protections for workers. The Ambassador welcomed the prospect of the new labor law and said it was a key element for progress in the upcoming Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks. The Ambassador confirmed, however, that the draft law did not cover domestic workers, whose status is regulated by the Ministry of Interior. TIP --- ¶6. (C/NF) The Ambassador further informed the Minister of the need to maintain momentum on efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Kuwait had made progress and was ranked as a Tier 2 Watch List country in the 2006 TIP Report; the U.S. and GOK had a shared interest in seeing further improvement in Kuwait's ranking. He provided the Minster with a copy of the TIP Action Plan, stressing the need for prosecution of those who exploit foreign workers. He also left with the Minister copies of Project FALCon (Fostering Awareness of Labor Conditions),a post-initiated and ESF-funded project to inform Kuwait's expatriate working class of their rights. (The nine-language brochure, made possible with the support of source-country embassies, addresses salary, residency, and law enforcement issues.) Shaykh Sabah Al-Khalid commended the effort and said the GOK had begun designing a similar five-language brochure and had bolstered efforts to work with source-country and GOK embassies to educate workers before they arrive in Kuwait. He said MOSAL was also strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LeBaron