KUWAIT CITY, Aug 23: The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, HE Sibi George said he is in the process of discussing the issue of domestic workers coming to Kuwait with the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in his quest to reduce the cost of bringing domestic workers to Kuwait. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Onam celebration -- one of the important festivals in Kerala – at the India House he said if it costs a Kuwaiti sponsor 900 dinars to bring in a domestic worker from India, “this is worrisome” and called the figure ‘pure exaggeration’. The ambassador said 900 dinars “From my point of view is an exaggerated figure,” and pointed out the cost of procedures for obtaining what he called a trained domestic worker from India to Kuwait does not exceed 30,000 rupees (equivalent of 100 Kuwaiti dinars), which is a simple fee. He said he wonders where the rest of the money goes. He called for reconsideration of this exaggerated cost, and stressed on the need to reduce the fee of bringing Indian domestic workers.

The ambassador went on to say, he wishes to see many Indian domestic workers coming to Kuwait, but “I do not want the Kuwaiti citizen to pay large sums of money for domestic workers from India.” He pointed out the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding to bring in labor, and part of this agreement is to reduce the fees for bringing domestic workers to Kuwait. “I pay great attention in this area and I am optimistic an agreement will be reached with the Kuwaiti side,” he added. He concluded by saying, “There is no domestic labor office in India which charges more than 30,000 rupees fees, and if it is found “contrary to what I say, I am ready to do all I can and even to the extent of getting the licence of the agency back home cancelled.” The ambassador also said if any employer is found to be abusive of his domestic help, he/she will be prevented from hiring domestic workers from India.

Meanwhile, Ambassador George recently met Dr Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of Health, Kuwait. During the meeting both sides discussed ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation, Diaspora issues including streamlining of recruitment of medical professionals from India to Kuwait. The Ambassador also met Dr Buthaina Al-Mudhaf, Assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of Health, Kuwait, and discussed ways of enhancing bilateral ties including vaccination of all Indian nationals in Kuwait, and the issue of Indian who are stranded abroad including in India