Foreign Minister: Kuwait has 'clean' human rights record

KUWAIT: The Cabinet holds its weekly meeting yesterday. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet yesterday about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's "sudden" suspension of sending workers to Kuwait, which runs counter to mutual interests. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said Duterte's "sudden statement" prompted relevant authorities in Kuwait to contact authorities in the Philippines to clarify the president's statement. He said the president mentioned individual cases which did not apply to the majority, and those cases were subjected to legal procedures.

Kuwait, said the top diplomat, has a clean human rights record due to which expatriates enjoy full rights. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the laws in Kuwait organize relations between employees and employers, which has encouraged many nationalities to come work in Kuwait. The foreign ministry summoned Ambassador of the Philippines Renato Pedro Villa on Sunday and expressed regret and bewilderment towards Duterte's decision.

Divisions over Sabeeh grilling

The National Assembly session today is expected to witness the grilling of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh over a variety of allegations, including her alleged failure to fix the demographic structure which is massively in favor of expatriates. The minister may ask for a two-week delay, but the three grillers MPs Al-Humaidi Al-Subaei, Khaled Al-Otaibi and Majed Al-Mutairi carried out a rehearsal in the Assembly yesterday. The grilling is likely to take several hours and will take place at the start of the weekly session today.

MPs however appeared divided over the grilling, with several lawmakers expressing total support and others saying they will first listen to the minister's replies to the allegations before declaring their opinion. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said that he is not inclined to sign any no-confidence motion against the minister, as he considers that she has convinced him so far.

Opposition MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri said that he does not want to hear the minister's defense because she has not fulfilled her promises after another grilling last year. He said that he will support any no-confidence motion against the minister. Muwaizri also said he has filed a complaint at the International Parliamentarians Union against several people over the jailing of MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Jamaan Al-Harbash. He called on all lawmakers to vote on a letter sent by the two MPs calling for allowing them to attend the grilling of the minister.

About 20 MPs have signed a motion calling to debate two draft laws relating to domestic helpers today after the grilling of the minister. The lawmakers said in their request that the cost of recruiting domestic helpers remains very high despite establishing a special government company, and the issue needs to be debated. They said that the problem has become more complicated because the company has so far failed to perform the duties it was established for.

By B Izzak and Agencies