Kuwait all set to sign deal for Ethiopian domestic workers

• Allowing the recruitment of Ethiopian workers will create a balance in the market, especially since the costs of bringing them and their salaries are moderate.

• The Philippine House of Representatives’ Overseas Labor Affairs Committee will meet today to discuss labor rights, including negotiations to return new domestic workers from Manila to Kuwait and lift the ban on them.

Bassam Al-Shammari, an expert in domestic labor matters, disclosed that the Philippine House of Representatives will convene today to resume talks and negotiations regarding the return of new domestic workers from Manila to Kuwait.

Confirming Al-Jarida’s report in its current 5th issue titled “Discussions on Recruiting Domestic Workers from Ethiopia Will Resume Soon,” reliable sources revealed that the final signing of the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two friendly countries in recruiting and utilizing domestic workers from Addis Ababa has been scheduled for the end of this month.

The sources emphasized the significance of this step, opening a new market to address Kuwait’s current labor shortages. They also noted substantial agreement between Kuwait and Ethiopia on the memorandum’s terms, especially regarding workers’ rights and financial entitlements like monthly salaries and end-of-service bonuses.

They emphasized the inclusion of specific services, along with provisions for weekly and annual leave and other entitlements, highlighting Ethiopia’s extensive cooperation in finalizing the memorandum signing procedures.

‘Job orders’

Bassam Al-Shammari informed Al-Jarida that Ethiopian labor is the closest and nearly ready alternative to alleviate the domestic labor shortage caused by the suspension of visas for Filipino workers. He emphasized that local offices are fully prepared if the agreement is signed. The memorandum of understanding between the two countries aims to finalize initial recruitment contracts, known as ‘job orders,’ with counterparts in Addis Ababa.

He added, “Allowing the recruitment of Ethiopian workers will create a balance in the market, especially since the costs of bringing them and their salaries are moderate, so as not to burden citizens and residents.” He stressed the need to open doors for recruiting domestic workers from multiple markets besides Ethiopia and not limit or settle for just two or three countries.

Al-Shammari urged relevant government agencies to expedite the signing of the memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia and initiate the recruitment of its workers as soon as possible. This is to prepare for any potential emergencies that could adversely impact the market and lead to a decline in the number of new domestic workers. He called for addressing any past shortcomings comprehensively against domestic workers and the strict enforcement of the law against anyone who violates their rights to ensure an uninterrupted process of recruitment.

Regarding Filipino labor negotiations, Al-Shammari revealed that the Overseas Labor Affairs Committee in the Philippine House of Representatives will convene this afternoon to discuss various matters, particularly labor rights. This includes resuming discussions and negotiations for the return of new domestic workers from Manila to Kuwait and lifting the ban imposed on them for several months. The goal is to swiftly resolve current disputes and resume issuing permits for new Filipino workers as soon as possible.

He stated that the number of Filipino domestic workers in the local market is about 200,000, which accounts for 50 percent of the total domestic workers in the country. This highlights the importance of Filipino workers among most Kuwaiti and expatriate families, who prefer their services for several reasons, including ease of communication, high educational level, and familiarity with community customs and traditions.