- March 23, 2021
- Posted by: cyril
- Category: Embassy Activities
4th February 2021
Surrah, Al-Zarrah, Kuwait
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Ambassador Haja Ishata Thomas has today engaged Fadhel Ashkanani Group on the possible recruitment of skilled and unskilled Sierra Leoneans to work in the State of Kuwait.
Fadhel Ashkanani Group is a specialised agency responsible for recruiting thousands of skilled and unskilled workers in Asia and Africa to work in Kuwait.
In her welcome statement, Ambassador Haja Ishata Thomas thanked Hamad Al-Sharaf Ashkanani for the numerous supports rendered to Sierra Leoneans in Kuwait, particularly the provision of $5000 coupled with a covering cost of an air ticket for Hawanatu Timbo, a Sierra Leonean who was maltreated in the State of Kuwait.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform you that the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Sierra Leone will conclude the signing and ratification of the Labour Agreement soon; the Labour Agreement will protect Sierra Leoneans from being maltreated and improve their working and living conditions. It is our hope that this will create better employment opportunities for our youths in Sierra Leone,” she revealed.
Her Excellency further noted that: “Though we are seeking employment opportunities for our youths to alleviate the employment burden on the Government of Sierra Leone, we are not oblivious of the constraints faced by our nationals in the State of Kuwait, more so visa 20 holders.”
Ambassador Thomas also used this opportunity to appeal for assistance in the form of providing air tickets for two Sierra Leonean housemaids, who are currently in deportation centre awaiting repatriation to Sierra Leone.
The Minister Counsellor, Momodu Wurie, in his brief remarks, commented on the challenges that had plagued the recruitment process leading to a ban imposed on Visa 20 in 2017. He also emphasized that the Embassy would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fadhel Ashkanani Company to sanitize the recruiting process. This, he believed, would be in the best interest of the Embassy, its citizens and the recruiting agency.
Fadhel Ashkanani Group’s General Manager, Hamad Al-Sharaf Ashkana, in his response, appreciated the Ambassador’s warm reception. Updating the Embassy on their operations, he promised the Mission of his maximum commitment to protecting the welfare of Sierra Leoneans intending to work in the State of Kuwait by ensuring best practices are firmly upheld in the course of the recruitment process.
“There are demands for skilled and unskilled workers in Kuwait. In the past year, Kuwait has lost approximately 250,000 workers due to COVID-19 travel restrictive measures. This is the appropriate time for skilled and unskilled Sierra Leoneans to fill in the job market, especially when the Kuwaiti Government is striving for a quota for all nationals working in Kuwait,” the General Manager noted.
Mr Ashkanani assured of his unwavering support in repatriating Sierra Leoneans back home and also his dedication to strengthening the already-friendly relationship between his company and the Embassy.
Cyril Barnes,
Information Attaché,
Sierra Leone Embassy,
The State of Kuwait
Contact: +96599827207
