KUWAIT CITY, July 29: Khaled Al-Dakhnan, head of the Union of Domestic Workers Offices, voiced the union’s strong opposition to the Ethiopian Ministry of Labor’s recent announcement to raise the minimum wage for domestic workers. Al-Dakhnan noted that this move would significantly impact the labor market, especially given the current hike in prices. Al-Dakhnan told the Arab Times, that other Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have maintained the wages for domestic workers at 1,000 riyals and 1,000 dirhams respectively, both equivalent to 80 Kuwaiti dinars and said was surprised at Ethiopia’s wage increase which applies only to Kuwait.

Al-Dakhnan emphasized the union and office owners’ rejection of any unilateral salary increases, stressing that any wage adjustments should be in line with prior agreements that ensure parity with other Gulf countries. He urged the relevant authorities to intervene and uphold the agreed-upon wage structure. He also pointed out that the salaries of some domestic workers in Kuwait are higher due to their specialized experience, leading to a variation in wages. Al-Dakhnan warned against unauthorized statements by individuals without the legal authority to represent office owners. A meeting was scheduled for Monday between the Federal Union of Employment Offices and the Ethiopian Minister of Labor to discuss the rejection of the decision. The Union of Offices has formally expressed its opposition in a letter to the Ethiopian Federation.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff