The return ticket prices for a list of flights traveling from five main countries, namely India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Philippines, for domestic workers wishing to return to Kuwait has been finalized, as plans for their return move forward, Al Rai reported, quoting sources.
Following successive meetings between Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), local airlines and the competent authorities, the prices were established taking into account various factors including the prices of tickets, accommodations, meals and the PCR tests, said the source.
The daily reports the prices are limited to KD350 per person to reduce the expenses for citizens who are eager to fund the return of their domestic labor, particularly so the prices are not subject to supply and demand variables, which due to the present coronavirus conditions may cause them to spike significantly.
The sources pointed out that the prices will be dependent on the country where the domestic worker is returning from, with the agreed prices for air tickets standing at KD110 for those coming from India, while it rises to KD145 for those coming from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, and KD200 for those returning from the Philippines. The DGCA is keen not to repeat the experience of large demand raising the ticket costs as was seen in return tickets from Dubai, a transit country, from where expats are allowed to return to Kuwait after a 14 day quarantine, which is witnessing intense demand, so much so that the average ticket price increased from KD70 dinars to more than KD400.
The daily underlined that the return ticket prices of domestic workers, if left to market variables, would surge significantly, especially since the available seats are limited, and restricted by the country’s health authorities to 600 seats per day. This is due to restrictions placed on the airport as a measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus, under a phase plan for the gradual return to full airport operations. However, the flights and the number of passengers in the first phase is limited, compared to the expected return of domestic workers, which are estimated to reach 80,000 passengers.
In addition, the sources confirmed that there is a main factor that contributed to the success of fixing the prices of return tickets from these countries, which is that restarting operations will also permit the travel for expats wishing to leave Kuwait, while facilitating the return of domestic workers, which reduces the possibility of high costs for operating charter flights to these countries.
Cabinet outlines plan for return of domestic workers
Last week, the Council of Ministers put in place an integrated plan for the safe return of domestic workers who are currently stranded abroad and whose livelihoods have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic.
Following a virtual meeting held on Thursday and chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet approved the “urgent completion” of a two-phased approach outlined by the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, which would set in motion the return of domestic workers stranded abroad.
The returning domestic workers will have to adhere to all established health protocols, including self-isolating for a 15-day period at a designated quarantine facility. The first part of the plan deals with travel procedures mandating a domestic worker’s sponsor to submit a request online for the return of the worker in question. The remainder of the plan relates to the financial expenses needed to facilitate the return of the domestic worker, which include costs for food, transportation and accommodation.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Maryam Al-Aqeel said that allowing the return of domestic workers directly to Kuwait will help to meet the needs of Kuwaiti families, and mentioned that the return will be organized in batches, while preparations are underway for the return of other workers that Kuwait needs in the near future.
The Ministry of Health has revealed that medical, nursing and preventive staff are fully prepared to conduct tests and examinations for thousands of domestic workers expected to return to the country.
With regard to accommodating the returning domestic workers during their quarantine period, informed sources said that several chalets were available for this purpose at a nominal charge of KD30 per day per person, including three meals per day for the duration of the quarantine period.
The cost of travel expenses for domestic workers includes the ticket prices, the costs of staying in institutional quarantine, and PCR tests. Based on a decision to provide an exemption for this category from health service fees, domestic workers are expected to be also exempted from PCR test fees.