The Federal Government has clarified that Nigerian domestic workers are not facing a new ban in Kuwait, saying the current restriction was put in place by Nigeria itself to protect citizens abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday, explained that reports of a “fresh ban” by Kuwaiti authorities are misleading.
According to the ministry, the suspension has been in place for years at the request of the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait City.
The move, the ministry said, was necessary to address long-standing concerns around the welfare, protection and working conditions of Nigerians seeking jobs in Kuwait.
“The issue is not of a fresh ban imposed by the Kuwait authorities on Nigerian domestic workers, but rather a continuation of measures earlier adopted by the Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of its citizens seeking employment abroad,” ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated.
Government noted that the decision was taken to shield Nigerian job seekers from exploitation and unsafe conditions, and not as a punitive action from Kuwait.
Officials from both countries, the ministry added, are still in talks to develop a new labour migration framework.
The goal is to create clear rules for recruitment, guarantee legal protection, and ensure decent working conditions before deployment resumes.
The ministry also urged the public and media to verify information through official channels to avoid spreading unverified claims about migration policies.
