PRAISE … DOUBTS ON RESIDENCE TRANSFERS; 3 years voids sponsor grip

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 9: A large number of expatriate workers and ‘mandoubs’ (representatives of companies) visited labor offices in the six governorates early morning Sunday — the first day of implementing the decision of Social Affairs and Labor Minister Mohammad Al-Afasi to allow expatriate workers to transfer their residence permits to another sponsor without approval of the current sponsors. Such transfers will, however, be allowed once the expatriates have completed three years with their current sponsors. With a cheerful demeanor, most of the expatriate workers, who visited the labor offices, could not believe that the decision has finally been implemented, so they sought clarifications from the concerned officials and employees at the labor offices. For these workers, the decision marks their victory in the seemingly unending fight for their rights, hoping it would solve some of their financial, social and psychological problems, especially the victims of visa trading and abusive acts of some ‘mandoubs’.
Speaking to the Arab Times, some ‘mandoubs’, who were at the Labor Office in the Capital Governorate, expressed their reservations on the decision which, they opined, is a temporary solution and will only lead to many other problems in the future. Others regard the decision as an insult to the rights of employers, who hired workers from abroad and trained these workers only for the benefit of another employer. On the other hand, some citizens expressed their full support to the decision, asserting it will improve the image of Kuwait and dispel accusations on the country’s alleged involvement in labor malpractices and human trafficking.Meanwhile, expatriate workers, who visited the Labor Office in Farwaniya, stated the decision is courageous and historical. They look forward to the cancellation of the ‘kafil’ (sponsorship) system, which is important in organizing the labor market, enhancing the skills of workers, and releasing them from the claws of abusive ‘mandoufs’. They think the decision will protect them as the employers could no longer threat to fire them every time they air their grievances or demand privileges, such as salary increment. Moreover, Ministry of Undersecretary Mohammad Al-Kandari expects full support from major companies as the decision is aimed at protecting the rights of both the employers and workers. He said the decision will also provide job security to expatriate workers and protect them from visa traders. He pointed out the main beneficiaries of the decision are the victims of visa traders.In the meantime, Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs Mansour Al-Mansour explained expatriate laborers will only be permitted to transfer to other sponsors after they have completed three years with the current sponsors , reports Al-Dar daily. Confirming the decision protects the rights of both sponsors and the laborers under their sponsorship, Al-Mansour added laborers will be allowed to transfer to other sponsors after one year, but they have to obtain approval from their current sponsors. The Kuwait Trade Union Federation (KTUF) has praised the move of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohamed Al-Afasi to permit expatriates working at the private sector to transfer their residence to other employers without approval of the existing employers, reports Al-Rai daily.
A number of MPs support the decision but warn of the possible adverse impact on employers. The MPs also expressed desire to work on eliminating human trafficking in the country, and cancellation of the sponsorship system. n other developments, Chairperson of the Human Rights Defense Committee at the Parliament Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei has called for regulations to control the transfers, to respect the rights of both employers and employees. e also urged the ministry to cancel the sponsorship system as a first step to eliminating trafficking in persons, which has mortified the image of Kuwait. He added the new move is very promising, but there should also be regulations which will control both sponsors and employees to protect the rights of both sides.

However, he stressed this quick decision adopted by the ministry can harm the interests of employers since employees will be limited to work for their employees for a limited period after which they will gain the right to transfer to other sponsors. Meanwhile, he supported government’s decision to cancel the sponsorship system, saying it is the right step to end human trafficking in the country. He predicted the sponsor ship system will be canceled, but only after careful studies and regulations which can control the market. In her view, MP Dr Rola Dashti underlined the decision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to allow the expatriate laborers to change sponsors without their existing sponsors’ permission will have a negative impact on the economy of the country, and government should lay down root level solutions toward the issue.

By Sayed Al-Qasas and Abdullah DubiaSpecial to the Arab Times