The Nigerian government has set the record straight about reports claiming Kuwait banned Nigerian domestic workers. They said these claims are misleading.
In June, news broke about new labour laws in Kuwait that limited the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers. Many media outlets reported that Kuwait's government placed restrictions on workers from Nigeria, Kenya, Chad, and other African nations.
The reports mentioned that the Kuwait Ministry of Interior issued a circular to regulate the recruitment of domestic workers. This circular aimed to strengthen oversight and improve procedures in the sector.
But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday, saying these reports do not show the true situation.
The ministry explained that the recruitment suspension started several years ago by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Kuwait. They said the Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait raised concerns about the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian domestic workers.
Kuwait is a top destination for African migrant workers, especially in domestic work, construction, and other low-skilled jobs. The ministry mentioned that the situation of Nigerians in Kuwait has raised questions.
"The Ministry wishes to clarify that the reports DO NOT accurately reflect the current situation. The Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City formally wrote to the host Ministry of Foreign Affairs a few years ago. They requested to suspend the recruitment and deployment of domestic workers from Nigeria to Kuwait until concerns about their welfare, protection, and working conditions are resolved."
"This is not a new ban from the Kuwaiti authorities on Nigerian domestic workers. It is a continuation of steps taken by the Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of Nigerians looking for work abroad," the statement said.
The ministry added that both Nigeria and Kuwait are working together to create a framework for fair recruitment practices. They also want to ensure proper legal protection and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers in Kuwait.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the public to be careful and check information from official sources before sharing to prevent spreading misleading reports. This could cause unnecessary worry for Nigerians living in Kuwait and their families back home," it concluded.
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