The Federal Government has clarified that there is no new ban by the Kuwaiti government on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers, describing recent reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the suspension of the recruitment and deployment of Nigerian domestic workers to Kuwait was initiated several years ago by the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait City over concerns about the welfare and safety of Nigerian workers.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the suspension remains in place pending the resolution of issues relating to the protection and working conditions of Nigerian domestic workers in the Gulf nation.
“The reports do not accurately reflect the current situation. The Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City had, a few years ago, formally requested the suspension of the recruitment and deployment of domestic workers from Nigeria to Kuwait pending the resolution of concerns relating to their welfare, protection and working conditions,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the development should not be interpreted as a fresh restriction imposed by the Kuwaiti authorities, but rather as the continuation of an existing measure adopted by Nigeria to safeguard its citizens seeking employment abroad.
“It is not a fresh ban imposed by the Kuwaiti authorities. Rather, it is a continuation of measures earlier adopted by the Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity and rights of Nigerian citizens seeking employment in Kuwait,” the statement added.
The ministry also disclosed that Nigeria and Kuwait would continue discussions through diplomatic channels to establish a mutually beneficial framework for labour migration, fair recruitment practices and improved legal protection for Nigerian workers.
It noted that the ongoing engagement between both countries is aimed at ensuring decent working conditions and protecting the rights of Nigerians employed in Kuwait.
The Federal Government urged the public and media organisations to verify information through official sources before publication, warning that inaccurate reports could create unnecessary anxiety among Nigerians living in Kuwait and their families.
