The ban option was decided after talks between Kuwaiti officials from the foreign and interior ministries and Indian ambassador to Kuwait Sunil Jain on Wednesday failed to overcome divergences over a decision by New Delhi to impose a $2,500 (KD730) bank guarantee for Indian domestic helpers working overseas. Immigration directorates and service centres in Kuwait’s governorates have been informed about the ban orally, local daily Al Anba reported on Thursday. The ban is to be announced formally later.
According to the sources, immigration departments could start the ban on Indians from today or from next week unless a compromise is reached. Based on the latest official figures, the number of Indians in Kuwait has rapidly swelled to close to 800,000, becoming the largest foreign community. Among them are more than 200,000 domestic workers. They are followed by Egyptians who number around 530,000, Filipinos 185,000 and Bangladeshis at 180,000.
The Indian embassy has repeatedly explained that the bank guarantee is a decision taken by the Indian government in 2007 and has been applied in several countries including all other Gulf states. The embassy added that the bank guarantee will be terminated immediately once the work contract between the employer and domestic helper ends.
Source(s) Kuwaitimes |Gulf News
