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Egyptian women helpers in Kuwait: Ministry rejects call for ban

Egypt's emigration and manpower minister has shrugged off calls for banning Egyptian women from working as helpers in Kuwait

  • By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 10:44 November 8, 2009

  • Aisha Abudl Hadi, Egyptian minister for emigration and manpower
  • Image Credit: Supplied

Egypt's emigration and manpower minister has shrugged off calls from local lawmakers and lawyers not to send Egyptian women to work as helpers in Kuwaiti schools.

"I will not change my mind and will go ahead with the project. I am very keen on the Egyptian workers and there is nothing to worry about, especially that the ministry has taken all precautionary measures in coordination with the Kuwaitis to ensure their rights," Aisha Abudl Hadi said.

The minister's approval of the travel of 500 Egyptian women to work as helpers in Kuwait for a monthly salary of KD140 ($490) had waded into controversy after Egyptians said that they were upset by Kuwait's decision not allow husbands or children to accompany the recruits.

Eight MPs said that they would pressure the minister to reconsider her approval while an Egyptian lawyer filed a case to make her reverse the decision.

According to Egyptian media, several Egyptians working in Kuwait warned of the humiliations and ill-treatments that the helpers could suffer there.

However, the minister said that the situation of the recruits would be different.

"The women will not work in the private sector and will be under the Kuwaiti education ministry that will provide them with accommodation and will give them official contracts," the minister was quoted as saying by the Kuwaiti daily Al Horriya.

The ministry had earlier banned Egyptian women form traveling abroad to work as hairdressers, maids and baby sitters.

A Kuwaiti delegation is currently in Egypt to select 330 women who will be recruited by the ministry, the paper said.
 

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