No fresh ban on Nigerian domestic workers in Kuwait — FG clarifies

…calls for review of working conditions of Nigerian Housemaids in Kuwait

By Precious Mark

The Federal Government has debunked media reports claiming that the Government of the State of Kuwait has imposed a fresh ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers.

In a statement today by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign affrairs, the federal government clarified that the reports do not accurately reflect the current situation.

According to the Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, she explained that the suspension of domestic worker deployment was actually initiated several years ago by the Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City, rather than being a new restrictive measure introduced by Kuwaiti authorities.

According to the statement, the Nigerian mission in Kuwait had formally requested the host Ministry of Foreign Affairs to halt the recruitment and deployment of Nigerian housemaids pending the resolution of pressing welfare, protection, and working condition concerns.

“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,” the statement read.

Ebienfa emphasized that the current situation is simply a continuation of protective measures previously put in place by the Nigerian embassy to safeguard the dignity and rights of its citizens abroad.

The Ministry further assured that diplomatic channels between Nigeria and Kuwait remain open to establish a sustainable framework governing labor migration.

“The Ministry further notes that both Nigeria and Kuwait will continue to engage constructively through diplomatic channels on labour and migration-related matters,” the ministry added.

“Competent authorities from both sides will continue to engage with a view to establishing a mutually beneficial framework that guarantees fair recruitment practices, adequate legal protection, and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers.”

The Federal Government subsequently urged journalists and members of the public to verify labor and diplomatic information through official sources before publishing, warning that unverified reports create unnecessary panic among Nigerians residing in Kuwait and their families at home.