India and Kuwait have signed a landmark labour agreement, incorporating steps for job protection, checking exploitation of Indian workers and ensuring payment of salaries and other benefits promised at the time of recruitment.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Kuwaiti Social Affairs and Labour Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday.
Ravi said unorganised labour and maids would also be brought under the purview of the agreement, which is similar to the one signed with the UAE recently.
The memorandum of understanding will streamline the 540,000-strong Indian labour force in Kuwait and safeguard the rights of workers.
It is likely to include a clause to bring Indian domestic sector
workers under the purview of the ministry of social affairs and labour. Currently, domestic labour is governed by immigration rules of the interior ministry.
Agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar are also expected to be reached shortly.
Addressing the Indian community at a function in Kuwait City last Saturday, Ravi said the Indian government is keen on protecting the rights of workers, especially domestic help. The government is exploring the possibility of bringing the sector under the labour law, he remarked.
"The overseas ministry also mulls to establish a college for the children of NRIs and 50 per cent of the seats will be reserved for Indians living overseas. Our government is committed to improve the education sector for overseas Indians," he added.
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