Kuwait studies possible overhaul of workers’ sponsorship system

The International Labour Organisation has suggested that the Ministry of Social Affairs in Kuwait sponsor all expatriate workers in the country instead of individuals.

The proposal - one of the three submitted to the ministry - marks a radical departure from the country's existing sponsorship system, which the ILO hopes will be scrapped soon.

"The Ministry of Social Affairs should be made the sponsor of all expatriate workers in Kuwait.

"This means all visa applications for them will be issued in the name of the state and not in the name of any individual," said Thabit Al Haroon, the ILO's representative in Kuwait.

"Once they enter the country, the workers will take up the job for the establishment which asked for them," he said.

Al Haroon said private establishments will have to sign employment contracts with their expatriate employees.

"In case of any dispute, both the parties wo-uld have to approach the courts to solve the problem and protect their rights."

The current system of sponsorship, Al Haroon said, is not up to standards followed worldwide and leaves room for potential exploitation of workers.

"I am optimistic that Kuwait will soon scrap its current sponsorship system," he was quoted as saying by the Al Rai Al Aam daily yesterday.

Describing Kuwait as "a country with a huge international reputation", the ILO official said the existing sponsorship system is not supported by any international agreement.

The second option the ILO official has suggested envisages the creation of a separate government department which acts as the guarantor of the workers and the private companies for which they work.

"The third proposal is based on the concept that the workers should be allowed to sponsor themselves. Expatriates would thus be issued work permits according to the nature of their jobs," he said.

Al Haroon said the proposals - the result of an ILO study - have been welcomed by the ministry. "I expect the government to choose either the first or the second proposal."

The writer is a journalist based in Kuwait