Kuwait bid to fight trade in humans draws praise; Translate words into action: LeBaron
Arab Times, Thursday, November 10, 2005
By Boie Conrad Dublin - Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 9: US Ambassador to Kuwait Richard LeBaron applauded recent steps taken by the government of Kuwait to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), while calling for urgent action to improve the situation of domestic workers.
Speaking in a roundtable discussion with members of the local media Wednesday at the US Embassy, Ambassador LeBaron also commented on a number of additional measures that should be considered to ensure continuous progress in combating TIP.
Among the proposals made by LeBaron were: manpower companies must deposit a sum with the government from which funds can be drawn to pay unpaid salaries of workers; and banning abusive employers from sponsoring another domestic helper and setting a minimum wage for domestic helpers and a hotline that was introduced for reporting abuse, delinquent salary payments, and the ban on work in the hot summer sun.
He commended the government’s announcement concerning the creation of a three-party consensus between the employee, sponsor and recruitment agency to provide workers with rest time, paid leave, on-time payments and other guarantees.
LeBaron also commended steps such as the establishment of shelters for workers seeking refuge from abusive employers. “Such shelters however, should also be able to help workers on legal matters pertaining to their problems and not serve as half-way houses prior to deportation,” he said.
LeBaron also mentioned the issue of child jockeys but added though this is not prevalent in Kuwait, it should be looked into and measures taken to prevent the exploitation of young boys in this regard.
He recognized the designation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to lead an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate anti-TIP efforts and the commendable work done by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports to enforce an existing child jockey ban which prohibits children under the age of 18 to work as such, noting that robot jockeys are being designed and tested to replace child jockeys.
He likewise applauded the participation of the government of Kuwait in productive discussions with Ambassador John Miller who is the US government’s overseer on TIP-related matters, during his visit to the country to address the situation and identify areas for immediate action.
In his remarks to the gathering, LeBaron said he was often asked to compare Kuwait’s performance as regards the issue of TIP which he said was not an easy one to answer much less delved on without taking into consideration Kuwait’s record as regional leader in the areas of democracy, giving women an active role in society even before their attainment of political rights, and free expression.
The above-mentioned accomplishments however, do not match that with regards to efforts in protecting expatriate workers from abuse and exploitation, according to him. “That’s why Kuwait has remained in Tier 3 ranking of countries on the US watch-list of countries with a poor track record concerning TIP,” he added.
“The goal is not just to reach a minimum standard in trying to improve workers’ conditions but to do much more by implementing and strictly enforcing laws meant to protect the rights of workers,” he said. LeBaron said he was heartened by public statements by some government officials concerning the issue which shows that people are taking notice of it. He however added mere words alone will not suffice unless translated into action.
The US ambassador also lauded the media for its coverage of the issue, saying “I think a critical part of solving the problem is shedding a light on abuses and making constructive suggestions on how to correct them through the media.”
He expressed hope that the steps taken would be followed by full implementation of laws and regulations, stressing that “laws and ministerial decrees are only as effective as their implementation,” and further added that it is difficult work requiring skill, tact, determination and political will in the face of some long-standing practices.
Arab Times, Thursday, November 10, 2005
By Boie Conrad Dublin - Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 9: US Ambassador to Kuwait Richard LeBaron applauded recent steps taken by the government of Kuwait to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), while calling for urgent action to improve the situation of domestic workers.
Speaking in a roundtable discussion with members of the local media Wednesday at the US Embassy, Ambassador LeBaron also commented on a number of additional measures that should be considered to ensure continuous progress in combating TIP.
Among the proposals made by LeBaron were: manpower companies must deposit a sum with the government from which funds can be drawn to pay unpaid salaries of workers; and banning abusive employers from sponsoring another domestic helper and setting a minimum wage for domestic helpers and a hotline that was introduced for reporting abuse, delinquent salary payments, and the ban on work in the hot summer sun.
He commended the government’s announcement concerning the creation of a three-party consensus between the employee, sponsor and recruitment agency to provide workers with rest time, paid leave, on-time payments and other guarantees.
LeBaron also commended steps such as the establishment of shelters for workers seeking refuge from abusive employers. “Such shelters however, should also be able to help workers on legal matters pertaining to their problems and not serve as half-way houses prior to deportation,” he said.
LeBaron also mentioned the issue of child jockeys but added though this is not prevalent in Kuwait, it should be looked into and measures taken to prevent the exploitation of young boys in this regard.
He recognized the designation of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to lead an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate anti-TIP efforts and the commendable work done by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports to enforce an existing child jockey ban which prohibits children under the age of 18 to work as such, noting that robot jockeys are being designed and tested to replace child jockeys.
He likewise applauded the participation of the government of Kuwait in productive discussions with Ambassador John Miller who is the US government’s overseer on TIP-related matters, during his visit to the country to address the situation and identify areas for immediate action.
In his remarks to the gathering, LeBaron said he was often asked to compare Kuwait’s performance as regards the issue of TIP which he said was not an easy one to answer much less delved on without taking into consideration Kuwait’s record as regional leader in the areas of democracy, giving women an active role in society even before their attainment of political rights, and free expression.
The above-mentioned accomplishments however, do not match that with regards to efforts in protecting expatriate workers from abuse and exploitation, according to him. “That’s why Kuwait has remained in Tier 3 ranking of countries on the US watch-list of countries with a poor track record concerning TIP,” he added.
“The goal is not just to reach a minimum standard in trying to improve workers’ conditions but to do much more by implementing and strictly enforcing laws meant to protect the rights of workers,” he said. LeBaron said he was heartened by public statements by some government officials concerning the issue which shows that people are taking notice of it. He however added mere words alone will not suffice unless translated into action.
The US ambassador also lauded the media for its coverage of the issue, saying “I think a critical part of solving the problem is shedding a light on abuses and making constructive suggestions on how to correct them through the media.”
He expressed hope that the steps taken would be followed by full implementation of laws and regulations, stressing that “laws and ministerial decrees are only as effective as their implementation,” and further added that it is difficult work requiring skill, tact, determination and political will in the face of some long-standing practices.
posted by Ben Rivard @ 10:10 PM
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