The 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the US State Department on 6 June cited Kuwait for its efforts to combat human trafficking. Kuwait’s improved ranking this year was credited to the country’s enactment of a new law mandating standardized contracts for domestic workers, the creation of an inter-ministerial committee on foreign labor issues, prosecution of persons involved in trafficking-related crimes, and the enforcement of a 2004 law banning the use of child camel jockeys. However, the report called for greater efforts to prosecute more trafficking offenders and protect their victims. The report also lauded the activities of the Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices to protect expatriate workers, including providing free legal services to domestic workers involved in disputes with their employers and offering a temporary shelter for domestic workers in distress.
According to a report on International Migration and Development presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to the General Assembly on 6 June, Kuwait has the third most number of migrant workers among Gulf Cooperation Council countries, after Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The number of migrant workers in Kuwait increased from 1.2 million in 1985 to 1.6 million in 2005.
The Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met with Acting Bangladeshi president Jamiruddin Sircar at Bangabhaban on 11 June. During the meeting, the visiting emir announced that Kuwait will start accepting more Bangladeshi experts and workers again following the lifting of the ban on their recruitment.
Sources: “Report cites Kuwait for “Best Practices" in migrant worker protection," kuna.net.kw, 5 June 2006; “‘Kuwait in valiant bid to fight human trafficking’; More needs to be done: US report," Arab Times, 8 June 2006; “Kuwait third major ‘magnet’ for migrant workers in GCC: report; Saudi Arabia on top, USE second," Arab Times, 8 June 2006; “Kuwait to recruit more Bangladeshis: Emir," The Daily Star, 12 June 2006