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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 1

Written Answers. - Palestinian Workers in Kuwait.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

55 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's position on the forced removal of Palestinians, working as migratory workers, in Kuwait; and if he will further outline the Government's position on the rights of these and other migrant workers.

The Deputy, I take it, is referring to the announcement by the Kuwaiti authorities that they will be reducing the number of foreign workers who are employed in their country. I agree that such a decision will have very serious effects on the workers involved. Many have came from countries where there was no work for them and their families at home have been dependent on their remittances from Kuwait. This problem is faced by all immigrant workers and the Government are not aware of any discrimination in this regard against Palestinians. More generally, the number of foreign workers employed in Kuwait is primarily a matter for the Government of Kuwait. In the difficult circumstances which that Government face it has been decided that there should be fewer foreign workers in the country. I believe that when circumstances change so too will the perception of the appropriate size of the foreign labour force.

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