European Union: Kuwaiti civil society organizations possess the ability to communicate and have established institutional credibility

- Khaled Al-Humaidi: Companies preceded the Association’s plan in adhering to human rights

- Idris Al-Kandari: Respecting human dignity in the workplace is a value put into practice

- Samer Abidin: Workers’ rights are not merely a clause in a contract, but a trust incumbent upon us

Maria Baba Mikhail, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Kuwait, affirmed that “protecting human rights, including those of migrant workers, is a fundamental principle of the European Union, enshrined in our treaties and contributing to our foreign policy, and our partnerships with countries and institutions around the world are shaped on this basis.”

This statement was made during a speech at an awards ceremony hosted yesterday, Monday, by the Kuwait Association for Human Rights to honor several distinguished companies for their support and promotion of human rights. The event was attended by Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works Eid Al-Rashidi and Deputy Director of the General Authority for Manpower Affairs for Labor, Nasser Al-Humaidi Al-Mutairi, under the slogan “Humanity Has a Homeland.”

Mikhail noted that “the Delegation’s partnership with the Kuwait Association for Human Rights dates back to 2020. Since then, the European Union and the Association have collaborated on a series of projects aimed at ensuring that migrant workers in Kuwait receive direct and practical information regarding their rights and obligations under Kuwaiti law.”

She added, “This included translating legal and procedural information into the languages spoken by migrant workers, printing these materials, distributing them, and disseminating them through channels accessible directly to workers. The current phase of this cooperation with the Kuwait Association for Human Rights was launched by EU Ambassador to Kuwait Ann Questin in December 2024, as part of the ‘Together 4’ initiative, which continues to provide legal information in the languages of migrant workers and offer clear guidance on how they can obtain support when their rights are violated.”

She continued, “This cooperation reflects a broader principle underpinning EU foreign policy: the necessity for international institutions and civil society organizations to work in partnership, where each party contributes what the other cannot provide alone. Civil society organizations, such as the Kuwait Association for Human Rights, have the ability to reach directly the communities they serve and possess established institutional credibility built over many years. International partners, such as the European Union, can provide sustainable technical and financial support, along with a level of international presence that enhances the status of the organizations we support.”

For his part, Khaled Al-Humaidi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Association for Human Rights, praised the honored companies, describing them as “having preceded the Association’s plan in committing to human rights, supporting workers, and providing the highest standards of living conditions.” He noted that “the Association has received numerous letters of thanks for the training courses it provided to workers.”

On his part, Idris Ibrahim Al-Kandari, Vice Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, emphasized that “this event is not just about celebrating companies, but rather an idea that 15 companies have chosen to make a daily practice.” He added that “respecting human dignity in the workplace is not merely a compliance obligation, but a value put into practice.”

He added, “We are pleased to welcome the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works, Eid Al-Rashidi, whose presence carries a meaning beyond protocol; it represents the State standing alongside its civil society in a matter that concerns every worker who builds this nation with his own hands. We also welcome Nasser Al-Mutairi, Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Manpower Affairs for Labor, representing the entity responsible for the labor market and its regulation, and a genuine partner in every step toward a fairer work environment. We must also extend a special welcome to our partners who have believed in our projects and our societal role. The presence of Maria Baba Mikhail, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Kuwait, reflects the Kuwait-European partnership we cherish and serves as a reminder that workers’ rights issues know no borders. We also welcome Samer Abidin, Chief Operating Officer of Kuwait Resources House, and Bader Faisal Al-Sayer, Senior Director of Advertising and Promotion at Al-Sayer Group, two partners from the private sector who have proven that humanitarian work and commercial activity can walk the same path, and that true partnership is measured by deeds, not slogans.”

He concluded, “We welcome the true guests of this evening: the fifteen honored companies. They are not here to be applauded, but because they have done what we wish every company in this country would do. Welcome to the story named ‘For Humanity, a Homeland.’”

For his part, Strategic Sponsor and Chief Operating Officer of Kuwait Resources House, Samer Abidin, stated that “workers’ rights are not merely a clause in a contract, but a trust upon our shoulders. The worker who leaves his home, country, and family to become part of our systems deserves from us a safe work environment, preserved dignity, and full, inalienable rights. At Kuwait Resources House, we believe that our success is inseparable from the well-being of those who work with us.”

On his part, Ahmed Al-Saleh, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association, presented a visual presentation, explaining that “the Association’s mission is to raise awareness of human rights, defend fundamental freedoms, and build national partnerships that translate constitutional provisions and international covenants into daily practice experienced by everyone living on Kuwaiti soil. This stems from a vision that positions Kuwait as a regional model in entrenching human rights as both a methodology and a practice, befitting its status as a hub for humanitarian action.”