|
Foreign
Employment agencies sign deal with Kuwait body
The
Executive Committee of the Association of Licensed Foreign
Employment Agencies, along with the office bearers of the
Kuwait Manpower Welfare Association, held a joint press conference
this morning to explain and give publicity to the terms of
a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU), the two organisations
have signed, to improve terms of recruitment, and conditions
of employment of those seeking jobs in Kuwait.
The President of ALFEA, Mr. W.M.P. Aponso recalled with pleasure
the action taken by Mahinda Rajapaksa as a former Minister
of Labour for the free issue of air tickets to non Muslim
housemaids, that helped to broad base the ranks of employment.
Mr. Aponso emphasised the need for the organised bodies to
work together to secure favourable conditions of employment,
while reducing the burdens that licensed agents faced during
the tenure of the employment of their recruits.
Once the trade was put on a regulated basis both Licensing
Agents as well as Sri Lankans employed abroad, will eliminate
the factor of uncertainty in this field of employment.
M. Faizer Mackeem, Secretary of ALFEA explained the terms
of the Memorandum of Understanding that the two Associations
had agreed upon.
Zain, the President of the Kuwait Welfare Association said
that a sum of Rs. 300 million was sent every month to Sri
Lanka to recruit 3000 employees of various categories. He
clarified the steps that were being taken to allow all licenses
to obtain better terms of trade, minimising the risk for complaints
to occur. An insurance scheme planned for the benefit of migrant
workers is also to be introduced by the Kuwait Association,
so that the Sri Lankan recruiting agencies would have their
main area of concerns suitably covered.
“Our two Associations will not tolerate ministerial interference
on any insurance matters as premiums are paid by the Overseas
Recruiting Agents and it is the interest of the recruiting
agents to have maximum benefits at a reasonable price. Finally
when the claims are not settled it will be our problem”,
he said.
He added that his association would keep tabs on the terms
of a unified contract of employment, and that firm action
would be taken to black-list errant agencies by a continuous
system of monitoring and supervision, particularly those employees
facing unfavourable circumstances.
The officials of the two associations thereafter answered
various questions put to them by representatives from the
media before the press briefing concluded.
|
|
