KUWAIT CITY, July 15: The State Audit Bureau (SAB) called upon the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to provide a sufficient number of shelters for expatriate workers, reports Al-Qabas daily. In the report issued by SAB, it was revealed that the shelters belonging to the embassies of other countries have been closed and the laborers have been moved to the shelters run by PAM.

The Ministry of Health coordinated with PAM to minimize the infection cases in the shelters by providing hygiene requirements for the workers and keeping the rooms clean as well as providing them with necessary health care facilities. According to the report, the majority of workers residing in PAM shelters in the last three years are from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India.

Topping the list are workers from the Philippines in the last three years. The report recommended the amendment of the relevant laws in order to enhance the workers’ protection and uphold their employes rights. The report raised concerns about companies that violate the labor quotas set by PAM, and highlighted the need for improved coordination between PAM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related institutions.

It recommended amending existing laws and regulations to safeguard the rights of all stakeholders involved. The recommendations included establishing a clear strategy for workers based on the actual demands of the labor market in both the oil and private sectors. The report stressed the need to raise awareness among workers about their rights. It recorded some observations such as the shelters do not accommodate workers from countries that do not have embassies in Kuwait, resulting in fewer laborers staying in the shelters.