FG Says There Is No Fresh Kuwait Ban On Nigerian Domestic Workers

The Federal Government says reports of a fresh Kuwaiti ban on Nigerian domestic workers do not reflect the current situation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the earlier suspension of recruitment and deployment of Nigerian domestic workers to Kuwait was initiated by Nigeria’s embassy in Kuwait City, not newly imposed by Kuwaiti authorities.

In a statement signed by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry said the embassy had written to Kuwait’s foreign ministry years ago to suspend recruitment pending welfare and protection concerns.

Punch and Premium Times reported that the ministry said the measure was meant to protect Nigerians seeking domestic work in the Gulf state while concerns over working conditions were being addressed.

The ministry said the issue was therefore not a fresh restriction from Kuwait, but a continuation of a Nigerian request linked to the safety and treatment of its citizens abroad.

It said it remains in contact with Kuwaiti authorities and relevant Nigerian agencies on the matter, including on ways to protect workers and reduce the risk of abuse in recruitment.

The ministry also advised Nigerians seeking overseas employment to use proper channels and verify recruitment information before making travel or work arrangements.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times