Kuwait's Indian Embassy Issues An Advisory To All Indian Delivery Drivers

Indian Embassy in Kuwait issued advisory for all Indian delivery drivers in Kuwait.

New comers to Kuwait as 'Restaurant Drivers/Delivery Riders/ Courier Riders' will find advice in the advisory, as will those who are already living here as "Restaurant Drivers/Delivery Riders/ Courier Riders".

In response to the increasing number of Indian nationals working as "Restaurant Drivers" in Kuwait, an advisory was issued. After arrival in Kuwait, they are deployed as Delivery Drivers / Riders for Food platforms, embassy said.

If the Employer's name includes terms such as "Consumer Orders," "Consumer Goods," "Delivery of Orders," etc., then they are usually Food Delivery aggregators. Most of them use two-wheelers or bikes for deliveries, even during peak summer season.

Newcomers to Kuwait are also referred to as 'Restaurant Drivers/Delivery Riders'.

(i) Delivery Drivers receive Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Visas, which bind them to work for the same employer for 3 years. Work permits cannot be released or transferred during the three-year period, i.e. the worker cannot change employers during this time period. Upon completion of 3 years, the workers can transfer to another SME employer or return home.

(ii) Salary is generally commission-based with delivery targets and also based on the distance of deliveries. Employees of these companies are not paid a fixed monthly income, as may be falsely promised by some agents.

(iii) Workers should review the Contract before accepting the work, and make sure the employer provides workers with basic workers' rights, such as minimum working hours, overtime pay, holiday rights, worker's health and safety, and compensation for total or partial disabilities.

(iv) During some months of the year, Kuwaiti workers may experience harsh weather conditions (extreme heat, dust storms, etc.).

(v) Workers should ensure that they are provided with Medical/accident insurance, for their own safety and well-being.

(vi)All Delivery Riders need to insist on Embassy attested Employment Contracts (as per Kuwait's Labour Law with a minimum wage of KD 120 for Delivery Drivers) in order to protect their interests.

(vii) The benefit of Employment Contract attestation through Embassy includes Insurance coverage (covering disability/accident/death compensation) in Kuwait, paid by Kuwaiti Employer.

(viii) Workers are also eligible to receive an additional insurance benefit from Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) when obtaining an Emigration Clearance from the PoE office.

Additionally, the Embassy urges those delivery riders/drivers working for such delivery companies already in Kuwait to note the following in case of an emergency:

(a) In case of any labour grievances/disputes, they should first register a formal complaint with Public Authority of Manpower (PAM).

(b) They may also register a complaint with Labour Helpdesk of the Indian Embassy physically or through Whats app Helpline No. 6550 1769.

(c) All labour grievancs/disputes of civil matters can be taken up and solved through PAM (Shoun) Office and Labour Courts.

(d) However, any theft case, breach of trust, etc. reported by an employer to the Kuwaiti Police will result in criminal charges with serious consequences, including a travel ban until the case is resolved by the Labour Court.

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