Indian Embassy Advisory for the benefit and welfare of Indian community in Kuwait
Thursday, May 19, 2016
< div Class='row p-2 float-left'> IN THE COUNTRY OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT (KUWAIT )
• Obtain a Resident Permit or Identity Card, Labor Card or IQUAMA. DO NOT part with your Passport and copy of Employment Contract signed by you in India, at any cost.
• DO NOT sign any other Employment Contract or any blank paper. DO NOT strike work or resort to agitations. These are illegal under local labor laws. You could be arrested, imprisoned and also deported.
• AVOID all sexual contacts that may result in AIDS – a dreaded disease.
Keep in touch with the nearest Indian Embassy in Kuwait and report any complaints about non-payment or delayed payment of wages or compensations or any other problem to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES
• Personal baggage – Customs checking is VERY STRICT. Kindly co-operate with the Customs staff at the International Airport. Ensure that you do not carry any narcotics or alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited. Its consumption is a serious offence attracting severe punishment.
• DO NOT accept any unchecked parcel from any one. If you have to take a parcel for someone, check thoroughly that it does not contain alcohol or narcotics. Otherwise, it may land you in serious difficulties on arrival in the country of employment.
RELIGION
• The State religion of all countries in the Gulf (and in Malaysia) is ISLAM. Public practice of any other religion is strictly prohibited.
PRECAUTIONS
• You must make and keep a photocopy of all the pages of your Passport. DO NOT lose your Passport or its photocopy.
• By chance if you misplace your Passport, inform the nearest Indian Mission immediately giving them details, i.e. Passport number, date and place of issue, your name and date of your entry in the country of employment. You can give these details only if you keep a photocopy of your Passport.
• DO NOT lose your copy of Employment Contract. Make photocopies and keep them with you always.
• You must have a full name, address, telephone/fax number of your foreign employer, before you leave India.
• If you have difficulty in locating your foreign employer, contact the nearest Indian Mission immediately.
• DO NOT accept temporary or permanent employment with another person or establishment other than that the sponsoring Company/ establishment/ person. Employment with persons other than your original sponsor is strictly prohibited and attracts severe punishment.
• Before the Visa or Employment Contract expires, get them renewed. If you are returning to India for a short while during the tenure of your Employment Contract abroad, ensure that the validity period of Visa does not expire before you return to the country of employment.
• Also ensure that your Passport is valid. At least six months before it is about to expire, get it revalidated from the concerned Indian Mission abroad or from the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in India.
FINAL NOTES
No cremation facilities are available in Kuwait. Mortal remains need to be airlifted to India for this purpose. Burial facility is available to all expatriates.
2. The above suggestions are not exhaustive. A list of Indian Embassy officers is available on the website. Your suggestions/comments or views are most welcome.