Kuwait set to vote on ‘expat abuse bill’

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s parliament is set to vote on a bill that lays down tough penalties for employers abusing foreign worker after US criticism and violent protests by Asian labourers, but critics say it will not achieve much.

The move follows protests last year by hundreds of mainly Bangladeshi workers demanding better pay and conditions.

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Clearing agents ‘must be Bahrainis’

By SOMAN BABY

A CALL to reserve all jobs as clearing agents for Bahrainis went out to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) yesterday.

The LMRA, which took over the responsibility of issuing work permits to expatriates in July last year, allows companies to assign two representatives each, whether Bahraini or non-Bahraini, to clear documents with the authority.

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Fees clamp on firms paying off

By SOMAN BABY

A CRACKDOWN on companies which failed to pay labour fees is paying off, say officials. Around 6,000 firms had failed to pay fees to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority over the last six months, it emerged yesterday.

But many are now beginning to pay, to avoid cumulative fines and the threat of being forced to send home their foreign workers.

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