Nigeria's government clarifies there are no new restrictions on its citizens working domestically in Kuwait

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By Favour Ulebor

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The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified reports alleging that the Government of Kuwait imposed a ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers, saying the reports do not accurately reflect the current situation.

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In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Saturday, the ministry explained that the issue stems from an earlier decision by the Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City to suspend the recruitment and deployment of Nigerian domestic workers to Kuwait pending the resolution of concerns over their welfare and working conditions.

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The ministry stressed that the matter was not a fresh restriction introduced by the Kuwaiti authorities but a continuation of measures previously adopted by the Nigerian mission in Kuwait.

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The clarification follows reports published by several international media outlets in June indicating that Kuwait had restricted the recruitment of domestic workers from 27 countries, including Nigeria, under new labour regulations issued by the country’s Interior Ministry.

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According to the reports, Kuwait approved recruitment from only 10 countries, while Nigeria was listed among countries from which domestic worker recruitment was prohibited as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of the domestic labour sector and update recruitment procedures.

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The statement in parts, “The Ministry wishes to clarify that the reports DO NOT accurately reflect the current situation. The Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, had, a few years ago, formally written to the host Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend the recruitment and deployment of domestic workers/housemaids from Nigeria to the State of Kuwait pending the resolution of concerns relating to the welfare, protection, and working conditions of Nigerian domestic workers in the country.

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“Therefore, the issue is not of a fresh ban imposed by the Kuwaiti authorities on Nigerian domestic workers, but rather a continuation of measures earlier adopted by the Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of its citizens seeking employment abroad.”

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The ministry further said Nigeria and Kuwait would continue to engage through diplomatic channels on labour and migration-related issues.

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It noted that relevant authorities in both countries would work towards establishing a framework that guarantees fair recruitment practices, adequate legal protection and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers in Kuwait.

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The ministry also urged the public and media organisations to verify information from official sources before publication to avoid spreading misleading reports.

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“In light of the foregoing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges members of the public to exercise caution and verify information from official sources before publication to avoid the dissemination of misleading reports that could cause unnecessary concern among Nigerians residing in Kuwait and their families at home,” the statement added.

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