Kuwait City: The Kuwaiti parliament passed a new labour law to guarantee better rights and conditions for its over 2.3 million foreign workers. However, its controversial sponsor system remains.
The law, which was unanimously approved, is said to be favourable to the employers.
Workers serving in the private sector would see more rights under the new law, including better annual leave and end of service indemnities and holidays.
There are also stricter punishments including jail terms, for those who trade in visas or recruit expatriate workers and do not provide them with jobs, or fail to regularly pay their salaries.
Most of Kuwait's 2.3 million foreign workers are Asian.
It also sets tougher penalties, including jail terms, for businessmen who trade in visas or who recruit expatriate workers and then fail to provide them with jobs, or who fail to pay salaries regularly.
