Sri Lanka's Mandatory Private Insurance For Domestic Workers Is Objected To By Kuwait

Kuwaiti Federation of Owners of Domestic Labor Offices has opposed steps taken by the Republic of Sri Lanka since January regarding compulsory private insurance for domestic workers, which was set at $140, equivalent to 44 Kuwaiti dinars, and paid to an office in the UAE. Sri Lanka's step violates Resolution No. in a series of correspondences addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director of the Public Authority for Manpower, the Federation said. The Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a decision on May 7, 2009 regarding domestic workers' life insurance policy 14120.

The consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated in a previous decision numbered No. 14120 not to cooperate directly with foreign embassies and missions accredited in the country in regards to the issue of domestic worker insurance, but only through the "Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs" and in accordance with regulations.

Additionally, the decision prohibits all insurance companies and commission insurance offices from issuing life or accident insurance policies to domestic workers of different nationalities until the Insurance Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry approves them. The Kuwaiti offices are also obligated to pay the Sri Lankan worker's insurance in the interest of a collection office in the UAE only in order to complete the transaction.

According to the source, the reason for the paid insurance is unknown, as is what it covers, or the benefits accruing to the offices, including health and security, or even guarantees of contracts. The number of Sri Lankan domestic workers reached 92,000 last year, with 78.8% of them being women. In the family sector, Sri Lankan domestic workers make up 11.9% of the total workforce.

 

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