Migration & Human Rights

A Review of Kuwait’s Latest Draft Law for Domestic Workers

Domestic workers in GCC: Overworked and underpaid.

Some proposals akin to forced labor

The Ministry of Labor opened the country’s first shelter in response to the growing number of runaway workers. Authorities claim “it is one of the best specialized centers in the Middle East” but it’s not quite clear what this specialization entails. The shelter boasts 700 beds, but its privately contracted staff is untrained and has no experience dealing with survivors of abuse. MRRORS.org spoke to one woman who claims that the staff not only failed to provide basic support services, but physically and sexually harassed the shelter’s vulnerable residents.

Let’s start with the disclaimer. This is not an apology for Qatar.

Stories of Origin is a new MR series of articles and interviews that explores the lived experiences of both returning and potential migrants and their families. In the concluding piece of a three-part series we address issues of recruitment and training. The deadly earthquake in Nepal and the large-scale loss of people, property and livelihood could mean greater vulnerability of the economically downtrodden. It has never been more critical than now for governments in both countries of origin and employment to clean up the migration cycle.

The narrative on migration – globally, but more so in the Arab world – is polarised, and this is reflected in the way local media covers news on migrants and migration.

Neha Vora is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Lafayette College. Her research interests are focused on citizenship and belonging, South Asian diasporas, and migration in the Gulf region. In this interview, she talks about her study of Indian communities in Dubai and their negotiated connections with the city. She also discusses her ongoing project on identity formation and belonging in the experiences of students attending American branch campuses in the Gulf.