Bangladeshi domestic worker rescued from humanitarian crisis in Kuwait

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait, with the assistance of the Kuwaiti police, swiftly rescued a Bangladeshi woman after she fell into a humanitarian crisis at her workplace following her arrival in Kuwait as a domestic worker.

The victim, Amena Khatun, is currently under the care of the embassy, and necessary arrangements are being made to ensure her safe repatriation to Bangladesh, according to a press release issued yesterday (1 July) by the Labour Wing of the Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait.

The statement said, "To date, no bilateral agreement or memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Kuwait regarding the recruitment of female domestic workers from Bangladesh. Consequently, until such a bilateral agreement or MoU is concluded to ensure the overall safety and legal rights of Bangladeshi female domestic workers in Kuwait, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait is unable to attest to 'female domestic worker (Khadama) visas'."

"Despite this, it is a matter of grave concern that one or more unscrupulous syndicates continue to send female domestic workers from Bangladesh to Kuwait through illegal channels. As a result, many of these workers have become victims of abuse and humanitarian crises," the statement added.

Over the past three months, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait has facilitated the safe repatriation of seven Bangladeshi female domestic workers who had arrived in Kuwait through such illegal means, according to the press release.

The embassy called on all concerned to refrain from travelling to Kuwait as female domestic workers until a bilateral agreement or memorandum of understanding is signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Kuwait regarding their recruitment, in the interest of ensuring the safety and welfare of Bangladeshi migrant workers. 

To prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, the statement added, everyone should remain vigilant against the inducements offered by unscrupulous syndicates and cooperate in preventing their activities. It also requested anyone possessing information about such syndicates to report it to the Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait or the relevant law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh.

The public is also urged not to be misled by misinformation or false promises spread by vested interests. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Kuwait remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Bangladeshi expatriates residing in Kuwait.