LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.562
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2022

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIA AND KUWAIT

†562. SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has approved a memorandum of understanding between India and Kuwait for cooperation in the recruitment of domestic workers;

(b) if so, the details and salient features of the MoU; and

(c) the number of Indian workers including those from Odisha posted/working in Kuwait including their per capita details?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) Yes. During the visit of External Affairs Minister to Kuwait in June, 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on the Recruitment of Domestic Workers (DSWs) between India and Kuwait was signed on 10 June, 2021.

(b) The Memorandum of Understanding aims to protect the rights of both Domestic Sectors Workers (DSWs) and Employers and regulate the contractual relationship between them. Besides, MoU facilitates safe and legal recruitment which makes a good relationship between India and Kuwait. The details and salient features of the MoU are as under:-

(i) To facilitate opening of a bank account by the employer in the name of the Domestic Workers for deposit of their monthly salary as provided in the employment contract in accordance with laws and regulations applicable of the State of Kuwait according to MoU.

(ii) To ensure that the employer shall provide the worker with food, housing, clothing, and registering the Domestic Worker in the health insurance system that covers worker’s treatment in case of illness or injury due to work as well as being committed to compensate for job injuries and transporting the mortal remains of the Domestic Worker to his/her home town.

(iii) To ensure that the aggrieved Domestic Worker shall have access to the Department of Domestic Labour for settlement of dispute and to competent court in case of need. Domestic workers are exempted from judicial charges/fees at all levels of the judicial proceedings.

(iv) To ensure that the employer does not retain the Domestic Worker’s passport.

(v) To ensure that the runaway Domestic Workers shall be covered by insurance for an initial period of six months towards the cost of return air tickets and unpaid wages, if any.

(vi) To take legal measures against recruitment and deployment agencies, officers or companies in case of violation of law in both countries.

(c) As per available information, total number of Indians including workers in Kuwait is estimated to be about 10 lakhs.