February 25, 2021
By: Audrey. R. John
As part of its mandate to address legal issues affecting migrant workers, the Kuwait Trade Union Federation, in association with Solidarity Centre, has organized a Domestic Labour Law Seminar for Sierra Leoneans working as domestic workers in the State of Kuwait.
The purpose of the seminar was to provide orientation for workers against ill-treatment faced during work. The Domestic Labour Law No. 68, 2015 provides a remedy to the legislative gaps in connection with the regulation of domestic workers affairs.
Welcoming participants, the Secretary-General of Kuwait Trade Union Federation, Mohamed Al-Arada revealed that the Domestic Labour Law Seminar was the 13th training programme organized to give Sierra Leoneans a better understanding of the precepts of Domestic Labour Law and how to seek redress in any eventuality. He assured that the Kuwait Trade Union Federation was open to addressing domestic complaints as well as providing other assistance in the future.
“More specifically, we thank the Sierra Leone Embassy in the State of Kuwait for honouring the invitation. We believe this is a demonstration of their love and service for the country and readiness to address issues affecting Sierra Leoneans who are working as domestic workers in the State of Kuwait,” he said.
Abdulrahman Al-Turki, the Program Coordinator of Solidarity Centre, extended thanks and appreciation to Kuwait Trade Union, Sierra Leone Embassy, the Union and Sierra Leonean for participating in the seminar. He emphasized that domestic workers in the State of Kuwait must know their rights in defence against injustices. He added that the seminar would serve as a source of empowerment for them.
In his statement, the President of the Sierra Leone Union, Alpha Vangahun, appreciated the Federation and Solidarity Centre for organizing the seminar, which he considered as a useful guide in addressing the daily issues affecting Domestic Workers and for recognizing Sierra Leone Union as one of the major interest groups agitating for migrant workers in the State of Kuwait.
“Sierra Leoneans, especially females, are here today to learn the various provisions of the Domestic Labour Law because it concerns them. Though it was not easy to assemble them because of work and other perturbing issues relating to documentation, we realized that this seminar is pivotal in addressing most of the problems associated with their sponsors,” he stated.
Presenting the legal basis of the Domestic Labour Law, the Legal Consultant of the Kuwait and Middle East Financial Investment Company, Khalid Al-Shurman informed Sierra Leoneans that the Domestic Labour Law was a powerful weapon that workers must arm themselves with. He disclosed the many sections protecting domestic workers and mentioned that problems facing domestic workers require solidarity actions.
