May. 22 2024
Source Page: Immigration Rules archive: 11 April 2024 to 15 May 2024Found: Exception where the applicant holds an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) Document (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Mentions:
1: None delivery by land remains the quickest and most effective option, so we continue to work closely with Oman - Speech Link
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of modern-day slavery in (1) the United Arab Emirates, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) Kuwait, (4) Oman, (5) Qatar, and (6) Jordan, particularly in relation to the kafala system.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The 'kafala' system (sponsorship) has been the source of many allegations of human rights abuses in the Gulf states and Middle East. We have seen some progress in recent years to address these issues. Qatar introduced legislation protecting labour rights particularly for migrant workers in 2020. Saudi Arabia introduced a Domestic Workers Regulation that will be enacted from September 2024. Jordan and Kuwait signed the 'Prime Ministers Call for Action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in 2017', whilst Oman joined the Arab Charter on Human Rights in 2022. We remain committed to supporting efforts to implement these changes and improve labour rights in the Gulf States and Middle East.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made on modern slavery to the governments of (1) the United Arab Emirates, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) Kuwait, (4) Oman, (5) Qatar, and (6) Jordan; and what response they received from each.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking and continues to engage with governments around the world, including in the Gulf States and Middle East. For example, the UK Modern Slavery Envoy visited Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup to encourage further collaboration on combatting human trafficking, and participated in the 4th Regional Forum on Combating Human Trafficking in the Middle East hosted by Qatar in 2023. He also met the President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission to discuss the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2023.
Correspondence May. 21 2024
Committee: Justice and Home Affairs CommitteeFound: On 1 February 2024, the scheme opened for nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates,
Mentions:
1: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) delivery by land remains the quickest and most effective option, so we continue to work closely with Oman - Speech Link
Found: The Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the U nited Arab Emirates (UAE) , Oman,
May. 15 2024
Source Page: Oman: Knowledge Base profileFound: Oman: Knowledge Base profile
May. 14 2024
Source Page: Foreign flagged ships detained in the UK during April 2024 under Paris MOU.Found: 2024 Vessel Name: GULF LOYALTY GT: 163066 IMO: 9441245 Flag: Marshall Islands (white list) Company: Oman
Mentions:
1: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Con - Life peer) scheme has already launched for nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman - Speech Link