Domestic worker trafficking probe referred to Public Prosecution
A sponsor has been referred to the Public Prosecution after an investigation by Kuwait’s Residence Affairs Investigation Department uncovered an alleged scheme involving the illegal employment and financial exploitation of domestic workers.
According to sources, it all began with the arrest of an expatriate woman accused of running a “cash-out” — an illegal financial scheme that exploits people, often low-income workers — by turning their access to installment credit into immediate cash, in this case targeting domestic workers.
According to security sources, she allegedly arranged for workers to purchase household appliances and mobile phones on installment plans before buying the items back at heavily discounted prices, leaving the workers responsible for the outstanding installments while she profited from the transactions.
The investigation then expanded to the woman’s sponsor, who had seven domestic workers registered under his sponsorship. During questioning, he allegedly admitted that he allowed the workers to take jobs with other employers in return for payments he received from them.
Under Kuwait’s domestic worker sponsorship system, a domestic worker may legally work only for the employer he/she sponsors. Allowing a worker to take up employment elsewhere in exchange for money is a violation of residency regulations and may constitute human trafficking or labor exploitation.
Officials clarified that registering several domestic workers under one sponsor is not illegal, provided all legal requirements are met. The violation in this case was the sponsor’s alleged practice of releasing workers to work for others while continuing to hold their residency permits for financial gain.
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action. Authorities also said the sponsor subsequently filed absconding reports against the domestic workers registered under his sponsorship.
