Indonesia refuses to lift ban on citizens working in Kuwait

Yahhoo! Maktoob DUBAI - Indonesia will not lift a ban its citizens working in Kuwait until the Gulf state makes changes to its labour laws to better protect migrant workers from abuse and exploitation, the Kuwait Times daily has reported.
Indonesia imposed the ban in late 2009 due to mistreatment of its citizens, citing numerous instances of workers not being paid and suffering physical abuse.
At the time Indonesia imposed its ban there were around 80,000 of its citizens living in Kuwait, with some 60,000 of them working as housemaids, according to the local embassy.
Kuwait has been in talks with Indonesia to have the ban removed, but the Southeast Asian country has repeatedly refused, saying it will not change its stance until the Gulf state demonstrates it can safeguard the rights of migrant workers.
Indonesian demands include changes to Kuwait’s sponsorship system, according to the Jakarta Globe. Under the often-criticised system employees' work visas are issued through their employers.
At a recent meeting between Indonesian embassy officials and representatives of the Kuwaiti foreign, interior and labour ministries, the Indonesian delegation demanded official pledges guaranteeing the safety and protection of its citizens, the Kuwait Times reported.
“The Kuwaiti government bodies' representatives refused these demands, however, insisting that since Kuwait is a state of law and that making official pledges to other countries conflicts with national legislation,” the newspaper reported, citing a person who attended the meeting.
Indonesian officials described Kuwait's record on workers' rights and combating human trafficking as "bad", and suggested that the situation was worsening due to a lack of legislation, according to the Kuwait Times.
News of the meeting comes amid growing concern over the treatment of migrant workers in the Middle East following a string of alleged incidents of abuse against Indonesian and Sri Lankan maids.
In the most high-profile case, 23-year-old Indonesian Sumiati Binti Salan Mustapa allegedly suffered stab wounds, burns to her scalp, fractures in her hands and ribs, and other injuries allegedly inflicted by her employer, according to media reports.
Human Rights Watch in November urged Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait to do more to protect migrant domestic workers, saying a recent string of allegations point to a "broader pattern of abuse".


LWDLIK- The burden of responsibility is on Kuwait to offer protection, enforce or change existing laws and heavily punish the perpertrators of such heinous crimes against these poor workers. Come on Kuwait this is not the reputation you want. What will it take for change here? All the third world countries placing a ban on their nationals? Does nobody listen to HRW? Or does nobody care? Saddens me to read of such horrible things.