Kuwait City: Kuwait and India have signed a memorandum of understanding involving domestic workers as part of efforts to bolster joint co-operation.
Under the deal, the two countries waiver the entry visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports.
The agreement was signed by Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah and visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.
An Indian Embassy official said the deal on domestic workers covers non-payment of salaries, ill-treatment of maids and proper insurance protection for workers.
The memo stipulates that salary payment will be subject to verification in order to avoid possible non-payment of salaries, and sponsors will be contacted to ensure on-time payments.
“If a dispute arises, a time-bound solution will be found in order to avoid delaying a solution indefinitely. Recruitment of domestic labour from India will continue, but only through official agencies both in India and Kuwait,” the official said.
Earlier, the Indian Foreign Minister called on the Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and discussed positive developments in bilateral ties between the two countries. She also raised issues of concern to the Indian community.
Later, Swaraj met Kuwaiti Prime Minister Shaikh Jabar Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, and discussed issues of bilateral concern and explored avenues for enhancing and further strengthening economic and investment co-operation.
Swaraj was accompanied by Indian Ambassador K Jeeva Sagar for all the meetings.
On Tuesday, Swaraj had interacted with the Indian community in Kuwait. She also paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Indian Embassy here.
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