Holiday Notice

The Embassy of India shall remain closed on the following day during the month of April 2015:-

14 April 2015 Tuesday-Birthday of Dr. Ambedkar.

However, on above day, the Embassy will continue to provide Emergency services in the Consular and Visa section.

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Proposed Recruitment of Indian Nurses For Work In Kuwait

The Government of India  has issued instructions on 12 March 2015 that with effect from 30 April 2015, the recruitment of Indian nurses for employment in Kuwait will be restricted through State-run recruiting agencies, viz., NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department)-ROOTS and ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd), Kerala. Furthermore, from the date above, the emigration of Indian nurses for overseas employment in all 18 ECR countries, including Kuwait, will require emigration clearance from Protector of Emigrants Offices in India.

2.         It has also been decided that foreign employers who seek to recruit Indian nurses will register from 30 April 2015 onwards in the e-Migrate system (being introduced by the Embassy) for vetting by the Embassy. Thereafter, foreign employers can raise demand for Indian nurses on e-Migrate system with the terms and conditions of their employment. On scrutiny of documents, the attestation/approval would be done by the Indian Embassy on-line basis.

3.         The proposed recruitment of Indian nurses for work in Kuwait through State-run manpower agencies in India, viz., NORKA-ROOTS and ODEPC will help in establishing a fair and transparent mechanism for recruitment of Indian nurses for work in Kuwait.

Touts and Minimum Wages For Indian Labourers

Beware of Touts

The Embassy regrets to inform that some Indian touts hang around its premises trying to cheat and mislead our nationals. All Indian nationals are advised to ignore these touts who are often seen hanging in the vicinity of Embassy premises. For any assistance/query w.r.t. passport, visa, attestation services, please contact the Embassy Officer on duty in the meeting room on all working days from 1000-1100 hrs and 1430-1530 hrs

 

At present the minimum wages for Indian labourers (both technical and non technical/farm workers) working in Private Sector (Visa No. 18) range from KD 70 to KD 80 per month.

After analyzing the labour market situation in the region, it has been decided to revise the Minimum Referral Wage to KD 100 per month for labourers/farm workers (including similar categories) with immediate effect. 

The aforementioned minimum wage will continue to remain exclusive of accommodation, food and other amenities stipulated in the Kuwaiti laws and regulations.  The revision of wages of other categories of workers in Private Sector will be announced later.  

 MINIMUM WAGES FOR INDIAN DOMESTIC WORKERS

At present the minimum wages for Indian domestic workers, houseboys/cooks and house drivers (holders of Visa No. 20) range from KD 70 to 75 per month. 

2.       After studying the labour-market situation in the region, it has been decided to revise the minimum referral wage in the employment contracts being attested by the Embassy to Kuwaiti Dinar 100 per month with effect from 1 March 2015 for all Indian domestic workers coming to Kuwait on Visa No. 20.     The aforementioned minimum wage will continue to remain exclusive of accommodation, food and other amenities stipulated in the Kuwaiti laws and regulations.

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WELFARE MEASURE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

        

Hiring of the Auditorium at the Embassy of India, Kuwait

              The Embassy has been making available its Auditorium for social, artistic and cultural events since January 2014 to various Indian Associations at a nominal charge.  The user charge is being revised as some of the services needed have been outsourced for better quality.  The revised change is as under:

Item	Cost without food being served	Cost with food being served
Basic charge for the Auditorium	KD150	KD200
Cost of cleaning (payable to Kuwait Swedish Cleaning Co.)	KD 75	KD 75
Cost of hiring two Local Security Guards (payable to G4S Security)	KD 48	KD 48
Honorarium to four local staff involved in events	KD 27	KD 27
Total	KD300	KD350

              The above cost structure is for one programme of 4-hour duration.  In addition, a refundable Security deposit of KD100 is required to be paid per programme.  In case the Auditorium is required for a longer duration than 4-hour, additional user charge is to be paid.

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 Suggestions and Clarifications -Indian Embassy

The Embassy would like to respond to the various suggestions/remarks which have been received on “Indians in Kuwait” to further improve the services of the Embassy:-

S.No	Suggestion/Remark	Response
1.	To provide a needful help for domestic workers.	Regarding domestic workers who are treated very badly in Kuwait, the Embassy would like to inform that there is a dedicated Labour Wing which looks after the Indian community. The Embassy has been regularly taking up the issue of ill-treatment of domestic workers with the local authorities. The Embassy is providing shelters to distressed male & female domestic workers
2.	To pay for services by Debit and Credit cards	The Embassy has already introduced a system of paying by Debit cards. There is an option to pay either through cash or K-net facility.
3.	To reduce/cancel Indian Public Holidays	There is a system in place to facilitate the work of the people who come for Consular Services on all Gazetted Holidays and also on week-ends. But due to the sensitivities involved, the Embassy cannot cancel Indian Holidays.
4.	Rent for accommodation is increasing day by day.	The Embassy cannot interfere in the matter of rent for accommodation because we have to follow the law of the land.
5.	Allow NRIs to apply for PAN & Aadhar cards.	The Embassy is working out modalities with the concerned authorities in India so that the NRIs can apply for PAN & Aadhar cards. But this will take some time.
6.	Stopping of Indian house maids to Kuwait	Indian housemaids are continuing to come to Kuwait for work through private recruitment agencies over which Ministry of Overseas Indians (MOIA), Government of India has limited control.
7.	Opening of an Indian Bank and NRI quota in various Exams.	The Embassy cannot do anything as regards opening of an Indian bank and NRI quota in UPSC and PSC exams.
8.	Additional counters in the Embassy for quicker Consular Services.	To improve our services, the Embassy is exploring the possibilities of increasing its staff strength to improve our consular services and increased work pressure. Number of working hours (8 hours) cannot be increased.
9.	Introduce E-voting from Kuwait	Being examined for implementation.
10.	Reduce fees of various consular services like Visa, Passport, Attestation etc.	With regard to various charges for Consular services, the Embassy has no control as these are  fixed all over the world as per the orders of the Government of India.
11.	Reduction of charges for correspondence courses.	The charges for correspondence courses are perceived to be expensive as Courier and Postal charges outside India are very high, apart from  over-head expenses.
12	Sale of Indian Postal Stamps and Revenue stamps in the Mission	The Embassy is examining the possibility of the sale of Indian Postal stamps and Revenue stamps.
13.	Training embassy staff and to be polite in public dealing.	Training of staff is a continuous process and everyone in the Mission have been advised to be courteous and polite so that the public feels comfortable. Contact details of the staff are available on the Website under heading of “Embassy Team and its Tasks”.
14.	Lack of Parking space in front of Indian Embassy	Regarding parking space, the Embassy has its limitations. But the Mission is trying to solve it with the help of neighbouring Embassies who are based in Diplomatic Enclave.
15.	Introduction of suitable Insurance scheme for Indian Expats	All concerned are advised to get in touch with LIC and Oriental Insurance whose details and other relevant conditions are available on the Embassy’s Website.
16.	Hold public meetings regularly at different locations	The Embassy has its limitations due to shortage of manpower and increased work pressure. But the Embassy has a system of Open Durbars where anyone can come without prior appointment. Details are available on the Embassy’s Website.

Merger of PIO and OCI Schemes

The Embassy wishes to inform that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme has been withdrawn by Government of India and has been merged with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card scheme w.e.f 9th January 2015. Hence as per Government of India Gazette Notification No.11 dated 9th January 2015, all PIO cardholders will be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India cardholder.  Therefore, the Embassy of India will no longer be issuing PIO cards.  Fresh applications will be accepted only for Overseas Citizenship of India cards. For any clarification, please contact Mr. J.S. Dangi, Second Secretary (Consular) at Telephone No. 22533315, Mobile No.97229947 & e mail sscons@indembkwt.org & Shri D. K. Tripathi, Consular Wing at Telephone No.22530600 Extn-235 

INDIA GLOBAL ON AIR FM GOLD

The Embassy would like to inform that the next episode of “INDIA GLOBAL” on AIR FM Gold will be on Kuwait. This program will be aired on 13 February 2015 at 2.00 P.M. (4.30 PM IST). All those who are interested may be informed that it would also be available on the AIR Website www.newsonair.com besides the channel on youtube of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi at https://www.youtube.com/user/MEAIndiaand at https://soundcloud.com/meaindia

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Nodal Agency To Promote Indian Education Abroad

The Embassy would like to inform that the EdCIL (India) Limited, a Government of India Enterprise, formerly known as Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL) has been designated as the “Nodal Agency” to promote Indian education abroad.

            EdCIL has been assisting NRIs, PIOs and foreign nationals for pursuing Under-graduate courses, Post-Graduate Courses and Doctoral Programmes in Indian Institutions.  Details of assistance provided by EdCIL to Indian Diaspora as well as foreign nationals are available on  their website ‘www.edcilindia.co.in’. Those interested may pleasecontact Dr. Shaik Suleman, Head, Placement & Secondment, EdCIL (India) Ltd., EdCIL House-18-A, Sector-16-A, NOIDA - 201301, U.P. (Tel. 0091-120-2515281, Fax : 0091-120-2515372, E-mail : ssuleman@edcil.co.in, placement@edcil.co.in), for further information.

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Payment of consular fees through K-Net facility

It has been the endeavour of the Embassy to make its services prompt, courteous and easily accessible to all Indian nationals in Kuwait. As part of these ongoing efforts and to facilitate those paying consular fees for various services, the Embassy has started accepting payment of fees through K-Net Facility at the Embassy in addition to the existing system of cash payment. Those interested can avail the facility for payment of consular fees through the K-Net facility through any application counter at the Embassy.

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DEATH COMPENSATION CASES

In case of death of an Indian national in a road accident / work-site accident / other accident, the Embassy has been invariably sending an advisory message through a registered letter to the legal heirs of the deceased (copy enclosed for circulation among the Indian community in Kuwait ) to appoint the Embassy as their Attorney and forward Power of Attorney and Legal Heirship certificate, duly attested by the concerned authorities in India (i)  District Magistrate or First Class Magistrate; (ii) Authorized officer of the State Government (Home Department); (iii) Ministry of External Affairs, Consular Section, New Delhi or Branch Secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs (outside Delhi) for filing a claim for death compensation on behalf of the legal heirs.  The Legal Heirship certificate and Power of Attorney are required by the Kuwaiti authorities for processing the claim for death compensation.  In India, the concerned State Government issues legal heirship certificate in form of “family member Certificate” or “ Certificate” which carry the same information which the local authorities required to be mentioned in the legal heirship certificate.  Such documents are accepted by the local authorities at par with the legal heirship certificate.

2.      The legal heirs of the deceased can appoint any person of their choice, who is residing in Kuwait or Embassy of India, as their attorney for filing a case for death compensation with the concerned Kuwaiti authorities. According to the local laws, death compensation cases related to work-site accident should be filed within ONE YEAR and traffic accident case should be filed within THREE YEARS from the date of accident, otherwise it becomes time barred.

3.      The Embassy has five qualified lawyers on its panel whose services can be utilized in these cases.  The advocate normally charges ten percent of the total compensation / service dues awarded by the local court / employer as lawyer fee.  Apart from this the actual expenses on translation, attestation of documents and court fees (usually 2.5% of the compensation amount) are also charged by the advocate. The remaining amount is transmitted to the concerned District Collector for reimbursement to the legal heirs. It may be noted that the Kuwaiti court does not award any compensation in those cases where the accident/ death was due to negligence / fault of the deceased.

4.      If the legal heirs appoint a private lawyer by their own, then Embassy has no role in claiming insurance claims.  The legal heirs should communicate directly to the lawyer in that case.

5.      Generally, the local authority takes 3-4 years time for settlement of death compensation cases. In case, the case file is referred to the Higher Appeal Court, it may take longer period for settlement.

6.      Please circulate these information among the community members after translating in vernacular language so that the family members are aware of the facility available with Embassy and are not duped by local agents who have been promising them unrealistic amount and charging 30-50% of compensation money as their fees.

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Mumbai based company with Kuwait University

Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd., Mumbai on 26 January 2015 signed a contract worth KD 150 million (about USD 513 million) with Kuwait University (KU), Kuwait for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the buildings of Colleges of Law, Social Sciences and Sharia and Islamic Studies in the Sabah Al-Salem University City.  Shapoorji Pallonji operates in Kuwait with its local Joint Venture partner Al-Sager Trading & Contracting Company since January 2011.

2.      The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Bader Hamad Al-Essa, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education of the State of Kuwait; Dr. Abdullatif Al-Bader, Director of Kuwait University; Dr. Qutaiba Abdul-Razzaq Razouki, Director of Kuwait University Construction Program (KUCP); Mr. Mohan Dass Saini, Managing Director & CEO, Shapoorji Pallonji International; Mr. Aroon Sen, Country Head, Shapoorji Pallonji, Kuwait and Mohd. Yusuf Al-Sager, Chairman, Al Sager General Trading & Contracting Co., Kuwait.  

3.      H.E. Dr. Bader Hamad Al-Essa said that “the contract, which will be completed within four years, constitutes a big step towards the completion of the city project, since the Sabah Al-Salem University City is part of Kuwait's Development Plan.” 

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Doordarshan India channel is available in Free-to-Air mode in Kuwait

Doordarshan India channel is available in Free-to-Air mode in Kuwait  and rest of the Gulf region. The channel carried Live telecast of the Indian Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2015. It will also carry live transmission of “Beating Retreat” Ceremony in New Delhi scheduled on 29 January 2015. Its downlink parameters are as under:-

Satellite                      Hotbird-13B

Frequency                 11.604 GHz

Polarization               Horizontal

FEC                            5/6

Symbol rate               27.500 Msymbols/s

All interested may like to utilize the above Live-streaming series of Doordarshan.      

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Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)

For the welfare of Indian Community present in Kuwait, the Government of India has been providing financial assistance to distressed Indian nationals. During the year 2014, the Embassy raised Kuwaiti Dinars 1.59 lakh (about Indian Rupees 3.4 crore) as fees/contributions towards ICWF. An expenditure of Kuwaiti Dinars 39,000 (about Indian Rupees 84 lakh) was made for providing assistance to Indian nationals in Kuwait. In addition, a total contribution of over Kuwaiti Dinars 11 lakh (Indian Rupees 23 crore) for evacuation of stranded Indian nationals in Iraq and Libya was made.

2.        The Embassy has been providing monetary help from the ICWF in following circumstances:

i)                   Boarding and lodging for distressed Indian Workers in domestic sectors (Article 20 visa);

ii)                 Extending emergency medical care to the Overseas Indians;

iii)               Providing air passage to stranded and distressed Overseas Indians; and

iv)               Expenditure on incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to India of the deceased Overseas Indians in cases where sponsors are unable or unwilling to do so as per the contracts and the families are also unable to meet the cost.

3.        The number of cases during the year 2014 in which Embassy provided air ticket, medical care and contingency travel expenses to the distressed Indian Workers are as under:-

(During the Year 2014)

Description	No. of air tickets	No. of Indian nationals provided contingency/travel expenses
Destitute workers accommodated in Embassy shelters (male/female)	278	KD 15,894
No. of Indian nationals provided for repatriation of hospitalization/escorts overseas Indian nationals to India.	727	KD 11,628
Airlifting of patients +escorts	25	KD   6,955
Airlifting of mortal remains to India	29	KD   4,013
Miscellaneous services	02	KD      510
Total	1,061	KD 39,000

 

4.        You are aware that a surcharge of KD 0.500 is collected by the Embassy on all passport, visa and consular services towards the ICWF.

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Quartely Analysis of The Transportation of Mortal Remains to India

It has been our endeavour to assist in the earliest repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who die in Kuwait. As cremation facilities are not permitted in Kuwait, it becomes necessary that many bodies are airlifted to India for final rites. Last year, 559 Indian nationals died in Kuwait. 

            During last three months (October-December 2014), there were 143 Indian deaths in Kuwait. Mortal remains of 112 Indian nationals were airlifted to India. The remaining 31 were buried in Kuwait as per the wishes of their family members. From those sent to India, 89 were transported within 1 - 5 days of reporting the death to the Embassy (4 days being the average time taken for transportation of the mortal remains). 
            The repatriation of mortal remains of 23 deceased persons, however, took longer time, ranging from 6 - 15 days. Delays in 23 cases occurred as police investigations were required to be conducted in cases of suicides, murders and traffic accidents. In some cases, local sponsors took time to complete formalities. Non-availability of flights and intervening holidays were among the other reasons contributing to delays in repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals from Kuwait. 

            Complete data of Indian nationals who have died in Kuwait since 1 July 2014 is available on the Embassy’s website. 

Repatriation of 24 Hospitalized Indians

In our efforts to help the distressed members of Indian community in Kuwait, the Embassy  has been attending hospitalized destitute Indians in various hospitals in Kuwait and extending all possible assistance in their medical treatment by way of coordinating with doctors and facilitating their travel to India. It involved coordinating with sponsors to meet the expenditure for repatriation to India. In deserving cases, the monetary assistance from Indian Community Welfare Funds (ICWF) by way of their air tickets is also provided by the Indian Embassy. During the year 2014, Embassy’s representatives made 102 visits to various hospitals to attend to critical cases involving destitute Indians. By the efforts of medical authorities and help of Indian community, following 24 hospitalized Indians were repatriated to India. 

Sl No.	Particulars	Embassy Efforts	Expenditure (KD)	Remarks
1	2	3	4	5
01	Hakim Mohammad, ·        Adan Hospital ·        Head injury	Coordinated with sponsor (Stretcher patient).	Nil	Repatriated on 10.04.2014
02	Rama Nandan Manappully Krishnan, ·        Passport No. G6676358, ·        Farwaniya Hospital ·        Cardiac arrest.	Coordinated with sponsor (Stretcher patient).	Nil	Repatriated in May 2014.
03	Abhimanu, ·        Passport No. J1089508 ·        Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital ·        Paralysis due to high BP.	Coordinated with sponsor to bear the cost of air ticket (stretcher patient).	Nil	Repatriated on 26.04.2014.
04	Subramaniam Kaliaperumal,   ·        Passport No.J0368820 ·        Al Adan Hospital ·        Brain stroke.	Facilitated his repatriation to India as stretcher patient.	KD 820.000	Repatriated on 08.05.2014.
05	Antony Selvester Mendonca, ·        Passport No. J5545422 ·        Jahra Hospital ·        Brain stroke.	Facilitated his repatriation to India as stretcher patient.	KD 870.000	Repatriated on 12.05.2014.
06	Rasu Pandiyan, ·        Passport No. F3847774 ·        Jahra Hospital.	Body organs were donated through Kuwait Organ Procurement Unit, Ministry of Health by  his family	NIL	Admitted on 24.04.2014, died on 13.05.2014
07	Rajeshwari Raginutala, ·        Passport No.J5491628 ·        Al Sabah Hospital ·        High BP.	Facilitated her repatriation to India as wheelchair patient.	KD 240.000	Repatriated on 12.06.2014.
08	Thavar Chand Katara ·        Passport No.K1162039 ·        Albabtain Hospital ·        Burn injuries.	Facilitated realizing his due salary and cost of air ticket from the sponsor.	Nil	Repatriated on 20.06.2014.
09	Savitri Tirumani, ·        Passport No. A3966651 ·        Farwaniya Hospital ·        Brain hemorrhage.	Facilitated her repatriation to India as stretcher patient.	KD 940.000	Repatriated on 23.06.2014.
10	Ali Sabir Manedath, ·        Passport No.L1164872 ·        Al Amiri Hospital f ·        Brain stoke due to high BP	Facilitated repatriation to India as stretcher patient.	KD 1184.000	Repatriated on 27.06.2014.
11	Marriapan Mohandoss, ·        Passport No.F2486876 ·        Al Amiri Hospital. ·        Cancer	Coordinated with sponsor and facilitated Deportation Process	Nil	Repatriated on 03.07.2014 under escort of an attendant.
12	Chandini Mustafa Ansarbasha, ·        Passport No.H1048905 ·        Al Sabah Maternity Hospital	Admitted, completed all deportation formalities for repatriation	KD 364.000	Repatriated on 07.08.2014 under escort of an attendant.
13	Booka Ramana, ·        Passport No. G9765945 ·        Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital ·        Brain hemorrhage & paralysis.	The sponsor put residency for her repatriation	Nil	Repatriated on 13.08.2014 as stretched patient.
14	Bindu Appu, ·        Passport No. K2262663 ·        Al Razi Hospital & Amiri Hospital ·        Traffic accident.	Coordinated with sponsor for air ticket and her dues.	Nil	Repatriated on 01.09.2014.
15	Syed Chanbasha Syed Khaderbasha, ·        Passport no. H4233730 ·        Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospita ·        Brain hemorrhage.	Coordinated with the sponsor and hospital authorities. Cost of air ticket born by her sponsor.	Nil	Repatriated on 20.07.2014
16	Krishnan Kovvammal Kundile, ·        Passport No. G5435359 ·        Farwaniya Hospital ·        Fracture of legs.	Coordinated with the sponsor and hospital authorities.	Nil	Repatriated on 05.10.2014
17	Mangadevi Undurthi, ·        Passport No.K3405123 ·        Al Razi Hospital ·        Injuries.	Coordinated with hospital and deportation authorities	Nil	Travelled on 22.10.2014
18	Paik Shambu Gaonkar, ·        Passport No.G2641082 ·        Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital ·        Brain hemorrhage & paralysis.	Coordinated with sponsor and arranged attendant. The air ticket was given by sponsor.	Nil	Repatriated on 16.11.2014.
19	Shaji Kizhakke Purakkal, ·        Civil ID No. 272053103918 ·        Jahra Hospital ·        Brain hemorrhage.	Coordinated with the hospital authorities. However he expired	Nil	Mortal remains sent to India on 05.11.2014
20	Ananje Panchallah, ·        Passport No.E9556003 ·        Amiri Hospital ·        Cardiac problem. He needed implantation of cardio version defibrillator.	Coordinated with the hospital for proper medical care. Due to a case on him, he was put in jail and repatriated after completion of jail term.	Nil	Deported in November 2014.
21	Kuttan Raju, ·        Passport No.F4737881 ·        Adan Hospital ·        Cardiac problem.	Coordinated with hospital authorities for his treatment and arranged travel documents.	Nil	Deported on 02.01.2014 due to a case on him.
22	Marripalli Sankaraiaha Chari, ·        Passport No. F3882392 ·        Amiri Hospital ·        Diabetic sickness.	Followed his case and competed all formalities pertaining to deportation	Nil	Repatriated on 23.12.2014 under escort of an attendant..
23	Sujatha Lakkireddy Palli, ·        Passport No.L6323832 ·        Amiri Hospital ·        Brain stoke and was  in critical condition	Her condition remained critical for 3-4 months and repatriated to India as stretcher patient	KD 820.000	Repatriated on 11.12.2014 under escort of nurse.
24	Ms. Koramulta Ademma, ·        R/o Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, ·        Ibn Sina Hospital from Detention Cell. ·        Brain tumour (Meningioma) surgery.	Embassy traced out  the details of her family in India and make all the arrangement .	KD 375.000	Deported on 23.12.2014 under escort of an attendant