Kuwait’s Union of Domestic Workers Offices, led by Khaled Al-Dakhnan, has called for a temporary suspension of visas for Ethiopian domestic workers until ongoing salary disputes are settled. Al-Dakhnan highlighted that Ethiopian workers in Kuwait currently receive higher wages compared to those in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, prompting the union to advocate for a review of wage policies to ensure parity.
“We encourage the recruitment of workers from different countries, but it is crucial to coordinate with the appropriate authorities and recruitment agencies,” Al-Dakhnan stated, stressing the importance of adjusting salaries to safeguard Kuwaiti employers’ interests. He also pointed out that wages in other GCC countries are notably lower than those currently being paid in Kuwait.
In May, Kuwait and Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the recruitment of Ethiopian domestic workers. The agreement, which was published in Kuwait’s official gazette, safeguards the rights of Ethiopian workers, ensuring measures such as prohibiting the confiscation of passports and mobile phones. The MoU also seeks to lower recruitment costs and mandates that all hiring must be conducted through licensed agencies in both countries.