As discussions are progressing towards restarting flights with countries on the 34 ban list, the concerned authorities have started coordinating with each other to prepare for the return of domestic workers, an estimated 10,000, with valid residency permits, stranded outside the country, Al Rai reported.
Al-Rai daily said, quoting informed sources that the majority of these domestic workers are from five countries – India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia of the 34 country ban list from where flights are prohibited from entering Kuwait, due to the measures taken to stem the coronavirus spread.
The sources confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has finalized the arrangements in coordination with local airlines Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways that will take care of the transportation of domestic workers stranded abroad in the coming period. Among the procedures to be likely introduced is the condition of institutional quarantine for 7 to 10 days, after coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, concerned embassies and health authorities in the country.
The return of the stranded domestic workers from abroad plan aims to reduce the burden on Kuwaiti families, who pay large sums to facilitate the return of their domestic workers to Kuwait through third countries not on the ban list.
In the context, the subcommittee, formed by a decision of the Ministerial Committee for Coronavirus Emergencies, addressed the DGCA yesterday, and tasked it with providing the details within a week for a clear plan and a timetable for the return of domestic workers, in coordination with the relevant authorities. Ministry of Health (MoH) was also obliged to provide DGCA with the necessary health regulations required for healthcare laboratories abroad for approval, as quickly as possible.
This came after the coordination meeting held by the sub-committee, headed by the Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Maryam Al-Aqeel, the day before yesterday, during which she was briefed with a visual presentation by DGCA. The Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah also explained the necessity of establishing regulations, procedures and a clear system for the return of domestic workers, without impacting the health system in the country.
Domestic workers return plan under scrutiny
Al-Qabas daily that processes and steps to resume flights for the entry of domestic workers from the banned countries directly to Kuwait will be announced next week. The sources added that domestic workers will be allowed to enter the country directly from the banned countries without passing 14 days in a non-prohibited country, in a move aimed at providing financial relief to citizens, and economic support for airlines operating in the air transport market.
A source revealed to Al-Qabas that the decision to quarantine domestic workers institutional or home, in the event of approval for their return from the prohibited countries, has not been resolved, explaining that the institutional quarantine may be financially costly to citizens, because the quarantine will be in a hotel. Among the proposals put forward is to give employers the choice to quarantine their domestic workers, either at home or institutional, without forcing them to quarantine in hotels.
Importance of Domestic workers in Kuwaiti Households
For many Kuwaiti households, having a domestic helper is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially among those belonging to the ‘sandwich generation’ — individuals who find themselves attending not only to the needs of their children but also having to look after their aging parents.
However, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown a wrench into the situation for some households, with reports of Kuwaiti families facing difficulty finding household help due to an acute shortage of domestic workers.
Domestic worker recruitment agencies blame the government for the shortage, saying they do not have enough workers to meet demand and that they are unable to recruit new employees because of restrictions from the authorities. Meanwhile, those workers who were on vacation when the coronavirus struck have been stranded abroad because of travel restrictions imposed by the government.
Many citizens consider domestic support staff to be the cornerstone of modern Kuwaiti society; in particular, as they are seen to be essential to take care of sick or aged parents. For some families it is not possible to do without domestic helpers, as both husband and wife are out working during the day, and they need someone at home to take care of the children and tend to the house while they are away.
Rise of domestic workers black market
The ban on passengers from 34 countries, the stringent crack-down on illegal domestic worker recruitment offices, the return of many household helpers to their home country during the coronavirus pandemic, and a huge pent-up demand for maids in Kuwaiti households, have combined to create a thriving black-market for the supply of domestic helpers.
‘Maid brokers’ have quickly moved in to fill the existing demand-supply gap in the market by offering illegal domestic workers at exorbitant prices. A number of Kuwaiti families are being forced to turn to the illegal domestic workers, who are in violation of the residency and labor law. They pay high fees for temporary domestic workers due to the rise in prices in the black market, which puts them at risk of diseases since these illegals have not undergone a health check.
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