KUWAIT: Scrapping the ‘kafeel system’ (sponsorship system) is a welcome move, but addressing the concerns and issues of domestic helpers can go a long way, the Ambassador of the Philippines to Kuwait said. In a cordial meeting held with Abd Al-Rahman Alyan, Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief, the Philippine Ambassador Shulan Primavera welcomed the news on the amendments made to the kafeel system. He, however, expressed slight hesitation. Primavera paid a visit to Kuwait Times office yesterday where he held a meeting with the newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief. Both sides discussed a host of issues.
Taking the point further, Primavera recommended that the government closely consider addressing the issues and concerns of domestic helpers. This, he said, could help repair Kuwait’s international image, “Kuwait’s name has taken a battering because of the domestic helpers’ issues, on the international front. If the concerns of domestic helpers are addressed, it can help Kuwait greatly and can go a long way,” Primavera stressed. “Cancelling the ‘kafeel’ system is one great move that will surely help expatriate workers, but it will also help Kuwait if the concerns of domestic helpers are given priority,” he reiterated.
Primavera pointed out that other workers’ concerns are well-protected by the Kuwaiti labor law, unlike the domestic helpers, a segment that is most vulnerable. The domestic helpers’ concerns in Kuwait are handled by the Ministry of Interior(MoI), and they are not covered by the new labor law. Just three days ago, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Mohammed Al-Afasi, announced that the ‘kafeel system’ would formally come to an end in February.
According to the ‘kafeel’ system, all foreign workers are required to be sponsored by Kuwaiti employers, which places them at the mercy of their bosses. If February’s promise materializes, Kuwait will become the second Gulf country to abolish the system, after Bahrain. Manama had likened the sponsorship system to modern-day slavery. –Ben Garcia, Staff Writer
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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