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The UAE introduces voluntary pensions to replace end-of-service indemnities, joining an increasing trend of reforms across the GCC countries

Policy Brief

Employer survey of internal labour market mobility: promoting a more flexible workforce in Kuwait

Compared with its neighbours, the sponsorship system in Kuwait is one of the most rigid in the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) region. This policy brief on internal labour market mobility is based on an exploratory survey of 198 companies that responded to the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)-ILO survey between December 2022 to March 2023, and a meeting organized by KCCI, ILO and the International Organization for Employers (IOE) on 7 March 2023. The results demonstrate an interest among the private sector for simpler and less onerous rules on migrant workers being able to change employers in Kuwait, such as the mobility reforms introduced in neighbouring GCC countries. The policy brief makes a number of recommendations regarding policy reforms that could ensure a more dynamic labour market in Kuwait, and stronger compliance with international labour standards.

Bahrain takes leap forward in enhancing end-of-service rights for migrant workers

A new provident fund for end-of-service indemnity for migrant workers is established in the Social Insurance Organization as part of GCC-wide reforms to reform social protection systems in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kuwait: Regulatory framework governing migrant workers

The country briefs map the key legal provisions dealing with migrant workers in eight Arab countries, summarizing the legal rules about who pays for recruitment, whether passport confiscation is prohibited by law, minimum working conditions including wages, working hours and rest periods, how to lodge grievances, and brief details of each country’s sponsorship regime.

ILO Launches Flagship Study on Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Access to social protection for Nepalese migrant workers in countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

Social protection for migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A regional mapping of provisions on paper and in practice

Access to social protection for Nepalese migrant workers in countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

Social protection coverage for national and migrant workers in the formal private sector in the GCC countries.

The infographic charts the systems of social protection available for workers in the private sector in each country of the GCC.

ILO FAIRWAY Programme and en.v tackle complex attitudes of employers of domestic workers through experimental project

From February to June 2023, FAIRWAY piloted the creation of the Women’s Circle project in Kuwait – an experimental, community-led project designed by en.v, which focussed on shifting mindsets of Kuwaiti female employers of domestic workers, through facilitated dialogue.

The State of Kuwait, the European Union and the International Labour Organization join efforts to advance Just Transition ahead of COP-28

A returnee raised her income and improved her skills

Migrant workers who lack proper information usually end up extending their stay, despite their visas having expired, putting them in danger of being classified as irregular/undocumented migrants. Migrants are even more vulnerable in such situations and face numerous challenges, including labour rights violations, abuses, and exploitation.

Final Independent Evaluation of FAIRWAY Programme.

The Evaluation Office of the International Labour Organization (ILO/EVAL) is seeking expressions of interest from an independent international qualified evaluation consultant team to conduct a final evaluation of the above project. For more details see the ToRs below. <p> Deadline for applications: 31 July 2023, at 18h00 of Eastern European Standard Time (GMT+2). <p> Prospective team candidates should send their expression of interest by email to Evaluation Manager Camila Almeida (almeida@ilo.org) copying to Rasha Tabbara (tabbara@ilo.org) with a subject header “Final evaluation of FAIRWAY”.

Workshop explores policy solutions for end-of-service indemnity (EOSI) system in Kuwait

The workshop aimed to inform dialogue around the limitations of current EOSI scheme, and involved workers, employers and relevant government entities in Kuwait in the identification of appropriate policy solutions at the national level.

Reforming end-of-service indemnity for migrant workers in Member States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)

Policy options for the progressive realization of international social security standards

Review of National Social Protection Legislation and Legal Frameworks for Migrant Workers in the Gulf Countries

Extending social protection to migrant workers in the Gulf Countries

Kuwait - Country baseline under the ILO Declaration Annual Review (2022) - P029

Summary of lessons Learned, Work in Freedom Programme

This document summarises the lessons learned (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by the Work in Freedom Programme, a ten-year bi-regional programme (2013-2023) that aimed to reduce vulnerability to human trafficking and forced labour among women workers in occupations such as domestic work and garment manufacturing.

ILO leads MENA leadership programme to promote a just transition to a green future of work

Worker, employer and government representatives from the region met online to gain a better understanding gained a better understanding of how to shape policies to implement climate change commitments.

Social Protection

ONE PAGER - Administrative barriers, capacity constraints and solutions for the inclusion of agricultural workers in social insurance schemes in the Middle East and North Africa