"Ministry of Labour": Decline in human trafficking violations and reports
The Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, Eng. Rabab Al-Asimi, confirmed that the Authority continues to fulfill its role in combating human trafficking by implementing the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking’s strategic plan. She highlighted the launch of a new service called “Blagani” (Report Me) via the “Sahel” app, which enables individuals and employers to report any suspected cases of human trafficking, while ensuring complete confidentiality for whistleblowers and victims.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons event, Al-Asimi stated that the objective of this occasion is to raise community awareness about this crime, inform all members of society about the necessity of reporting it, and clarify the procedures and rights pertaining to workers and employers.
She explained that the Authority is an active member of the committee chaired by the Minister of Justice and implements numerous recommendations outlined in the strategic plan. Among the most prominent initiatives are awareness campaigns on workers’ rights, including the “Protect Your Rights” campaign, which delivers simplified awareness messages through social media to inform workers and employers of their rights and obligations.
Al-Asimi added that the Authority has intensified inspection campaigns to enforce regulations governing the labor market, upgrading its mechanisms during the current year alongside enhancing its electronic services. She noted that cooperation among government entities, civil society organizations, international organizations, and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry contributes to delivering awareness messages to various segments of society, particularly workers of different nationalities and languages, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts.
She pointed out that intensifying inspection campaigns over the past year has contributed to a decline in violations and reports, resulting from employers’ and workers’ compliance with laws and regulations governing the labor market. She emphasized that the Authority focuses on achieving a balance between the rights of workers and employers, urging both parties to adhere to the law and treat each other with humanity.
Regarding reporting indicators, Al-Asimi clarified that figures at the Authority remain stable, adding that digital transformation has facilitated workers’ access to the Authority and expedited the submission and tracking of complaints electronically from anywhere. She stressed that all reports, including those submitted through the “Blagani” service, are subject to the highest levels of confidentiality to safeguard the safety of whistleblowers and victims.
For her part, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah, affirmed that Kuwait annually commemorates the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, driven by its commitment to raising community awareness of workers’ rights and strengthening national and international efforts to combat this crime.
She noted that Kuwait’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law is currently under review to ensure greater protections for workers, pointing out that there are approximately 1.7 million workers in the private sector and nearly 700,000 domestic workers in Kuwait. She underscored the importance of guaranteeing and protecting their rights.
Al-Sabah emphasized that the core message of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons is to protect workers’ rights, raise awareness about their rights and working hours, and ensure they receive their salaries on time. She also highlighted the importance of workers having bank accounts that enable them to enjoy their economic rights, particularly in light of the Ministry of Commerce’s decision to set limits on cash usage in financial transactions.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Muzaini, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the Public Authority for Manpower, affirmed the Authority’s commitment to enhancing public awareness of the dangers of human trafficking through participation in and organization of awareness campaigns in shopping malls, aiming to engage directly with citizens and residents and to highlight the government’s efforts to protect workers’ rights and entrench human rights principles in the State of Kuwait.
He explained that Kuwait has a comprehensive system for monitoring and tracking human trafficking cases and taking deterrent legal action against perpetrators, noting that the fight against these crimes relies on close cooperation between the Public Authority for Manpower, the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice, as well as the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, all of which contribute to curbing this phenomenon and maintaining low incidence rates.
