About 9,500 domestic workers registered on the online Balslama app by the end of January 2021 as efforts are still ongoing to process the return of domestic workers to Kuwait from several countries, Al Qabas daily reported.
The National Aviation Services (NAS) General Director Mansour Al-Khuzaim stated that the project, which was completed at the request of the government, has achieved great success, as 80,000 domestic workers benefited from the app to resume their jobs, most of them from India, followed by the Philippines, Bangladesh and the rest of the countries.
Regarding the process for the return of domestic workers, Al-Khazim replies: “The safety app allows the sponsor to enter and submit a request for the return of a domestic worker, and after completing the required procedures, they are medically examined and three PCR tests are conducted for each worker, the first in the country of departure through accredited laboratories, the second during arrival through Kuwait airport, and the third after completing the institutional quarantine period.”
Governmental requirements
“The launch of the project was slated for December 14th, but due to governmental requirements for some countries, the start was postponed until the completion of some of the procedures that had to be completed, and we were able to bypass all obstacles and launch the project,” Al-Khazim says.
When asked about the total number of domestic workers that arrived in the country and those who are still in the process of coming, Al-Khazim reveals that “until January 27, 2021, the number of those who registered on the safety app reached 9,500 workers, who have valid residence permits, from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, While there are 2,250 domestic workers in the institutional quarantine, while those who were handed over to the sponsors reached 1,750 workers who completed all medical examinations and institutional quarantine.”
Slow return?
With regards to a slowdown in the return of domestic workers, especially from India? Al-Khazim answers: “It is not slow, but the fact that the project is new and the Company announced the safety app and made great efforts to start the project in a short period.” He added that the fact is the workers coming from India are from 8 airports, and there is a need for continuous coordination, as a special team has been set up to monitor their arrival to the country, and one of the reasons for the delay is India’s request for their airlines’ participation in ferrying domestic workers, and their request has been approved.”
Other countries
As for other countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, he said that there is a flight that recently arrived from Sri Lanka, despite the fact that the airport is closed, but after intensive discussions, special consideration was given for the return of workers, on the condition that one of the Sri Lankan airlines was allowed to participate in the domestic labor travel project, while several flights from Bangladesh and Nepal have been arriving without any problems.”
Al-Khazim describes the turnout on the app as “excellent”, and we noticed that there is a great turnout, noting that the issuance of new visas started from January 17 until now.
He revealed that no application has been submitted to bring in domestic workers under new visas for several reasons, including the government requirements in the worker’s country that may take a long time, and once these procedures are completed, the BelSalamah app will start receiving these requests and book the return of domestic workers.
Price adjustment
Regarding the amendment of the prices for the return of domestic workers, Al-Khazim justified that the app offers many benefits such as the travel of domestic workers on direct trips, and fixing them up in quarantine areas in specific and secured areas, the provision of meals and adherence to health procedures, with 3 PCR tests.
With accommodation, meals and tests, he stressed that the price of their return through the app is reasonable and appropriate, and there is no overpricing.
Regarding the demands to reduce the prices, Al-Khazim affirms the prices are service-oriented to the community, and the profits are marginal in return for the services provided, and hotels and travel and tourism offices have been involved in this project.
Cancelling order
He continues, “If the sponsor requests to cancel the domestic worker’s arrival, he or she does not bear any fees as a result of the cancellation, and the full amounts will be returned to him, while if he booked the ticket directly through the airlines and not through the app, then any re-reservation or refund of the amount will be charged. He or she will pay for it. ”
Al-Khazim says, “Likewise, prices will be the same for the return of new domestic workers who will register via the safety BelSalamah app, and there will be no change in prices.”
Certified laboratories
Al-Khuzaim explained that the MUNA system was developed to ensure the reliability of the PCR test certificate from the laboratories of the countries from which the worker comes from, and these laboratories were audited and approved by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.
Reassured families
Al-Khazim mentioned that conducting 3 PCR tests for the domestic worker before her arrival in the sponsor’s home is to bring reassurance to all family members, pointing to the provision of hotels and hotel apartments for institutional quarantine for domestic workers in several areas.
Seven features of a BelSalamah app
1 – Direct flights to the country.
2 – Determine a fixed price that is not subject to increase or decrease.
3- Perform 3 PCR tests.
4- Provide nutritious meals.
5 – Ensure adherence to health measures.
6- The worker’s attendance in a known and secured area.
7 – Quarantine of the worker directly for 14 days instead of quarantine in the transit countries.
