VIENNA: Kuwait called on exerting international efforts to combat trafficking in persons in all of its forms according to international treaties in order to protect the victims. This remark was made by Kuwaiti representative Nawaf Ahmad Al-Rejaib yesterday, during the 6th session of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons at Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Al-Rejaib, the Second Secretary of Kuwaiti Embassy in Vienna, pointed out that Kuwait is considered an importer of human resources for services and domestic help, noting that there are 600,000 workers in Kuwait which increases the percentage of crimes against all concerned parties. Even though Kuwait calls for protecting all human rights, gather regional and international efforts to combat trafficking in persons and strive to follow all international protocols and regulations yet this crime is still challenging because it keeps changing and evolving.

He added in his speech that Kuwait has followed few steps to control this crime by establishing the public authority for manpower where work permits, workers transportation and housing are regulated. On domestic help, Kuwaiti parliament approved a law to protect domestic workers from being abused by regulating their work hours, paychecks, end of services bonus and overtime payments. This law obligates employers to respect the rights of their employees and to guarantee swift payments for the latter. He added that Kuwaiti media also plays important role in raising awareness campaigns where employers and employees know their prerogatives and obligations without any misuse or abuse.

Cooperation to face terrorism

The deadly attacks in Paris embody the importance of boosting international cooperation to counter terrorism in its forms, Undersecretary of Interior Ministry Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad stressed Wednesday night. Al-Fahad made the statement during a meeting with Director General of the French National Gendarmerie Denis Favier on the sidelines of the official visit in response to an invitation of French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed means of promoting cooperation to upgrade efficiency of security personnel, said a statement by the Kuwait's Interior Ministry. Al-Fahad offered deep condolences to the French official over the victims of the "terrorist attacks" in Paris last Friday, the statement added, noting he stressed that Kuwait supports France to combat the "terrorist acts." The Kuwait official underlined the significance of such meetings to exchange expertise and promote cooperation as well as open new horizons pertaining to the security field between the two countries.

He was apprised of the structure of National Gendarmerie tasked with achieving several missions, including maintaining security among civilians, the statement said. On his part, Favier welcomed Al-Fahad and his accompanying delegation, affirming the solidness of security relations between Kuwait and France. - Agencies