KUWAIT CITY, Aug 15: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Durra Domestic Labor Recruitment Company to respond to the questions of the US State Department in relation to the human rights conditions in Kuwait for the current year, reports Al-Jarida daily. The daily obtained a copy of the ministry’s letter to the board chairman of the company stating: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently coordinating with the American Embassy in preparing the report of the US State Department about the human rights situation in Kuwait for the year 2022 -- from the beginning of January until the end of October.

Therefore, we enclose herewith the questions that the embassy addressed to you. You are kindly requested to respond to these questions, as your response will be used as basis for preparing the report. You should submit your response on or before Oct 20.” In the letter, the ministry stressed the need to provide all the information that the US Congress needs.

Following are the questions:

● Did Al-Durra Company hire new domestic workers in 2022? If yes, how many?

● How many agreements did the company sign with labor-exporting countries? How many domestic workers did the company bring to Kuwait since its establishment? What are their nationalities and professions?

● How many labor-exporting countries are currently negotiating with the company to sign employment contracts for their citizens? What are the protection protocols and rights that the company provides for domestic workers, compared to other domestic labor recruitment companies or offices?

● The company has a hotline that operates round the clock, seven days a week to receive abuse complaints. How many complaints did the company receive in 2022 -- whether through the hotline or other means? What are the most common types of complaints?