Comments on: Are they allowed to take your passport? http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/ A blog by Mark and Nat, a married couple who are living in Kuwait. Mark works in Advertising while Nat works in TV. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:04:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Tim http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-250095 Tim Mon, 06 Aug 2007 08:03:16 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-250095 The Indian Embassy requested it, informally. I don't think they have the approval from 'on high' to push it further, for fear of reprisals/further quota restrictions. Ari: I understand your concern (and I have also had to deal with the cost of abscondees) but that could happen in any country at any time. Conventionally, if somebody steals something you try to have them arrested but if they have left the country, you either pursue them in the courts and get leave to serve outside the jurisdiction or (generally) you give up. That's just the way it is. Or rather, should be. Withholding fundamental liberties is another level entirely and I believe it is unsupportable. A Kuwaiti friend of mine had his passport taken from him for an hour at Heathrow and was apoplectic with rage. How about the UK, India etc. take all Kuwaitis' passports when working there and only let them travel when the employer wants, just in case they abscond. See how that makes Kuwaiti's feel. Level playing field? Not likely. Endemic racism (not from Ari, but Kuwaiti society)? Most certainly. The Indian Embassy requested it, informally. I don’t think they have the approval from ‘on high’ to push it further, for fear of reprisals/further quota restrictions. Ari: I understand your concern (and I have also had to deal with the cost of abscondees) but that could happen in any country at any time. Conventionally, if somebody steals something you try to have them arrested but if they have left the country, you either pursue them in the courts and get leave to serve outside the jurisdiction or (generally) you give up. That’s just the way it is. Or rather, should be. Withholding fundamental liberties is another level entirely and I believe it is unsupportable. A Kuwaiti friend of mine had his passport taken from him for an hour at Heathrow and was apoplectic with rage. How about the UK, India etc. take all Kuwaitis’ passports when working there and only let them travel when the employer wants, just in case they abscond. See how that makes Kuwaiti’s feel. Level playing field? Not likely. Endemic racism (not from Ari, but Kuwaiti society)? Most certainly.

]]> By: Kent http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-248427 Kent Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:03:17 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-248427 The law was passed in responce to the USA putting Kuwait on the Black List of countries who allow human trafficing. Kuwait was quiet upset at this and was an issued in parlament in the days that followed. It believe that Kuwait is attempting to clear it name by passing this law. Serveral companies have been disbared from doing busines with the US contracts because it of this reason. This is a common tactic used in trafficing which most know little about. It is rapidly comming to the forefront of the worlds number one problem. The law was passed in responce to the USA putting Kuwait on the Black List of countries who allow human trafficing. Kuwait was quiet upset at this and was an issued in parlament in the days that followed. It believe that Kuwait is attempting to clear it name by passing this law. Serveral companies have been disbared from doing busines with the US contracts because it of this reason. This is a common tactic used in trafficing which most know little about. It is rapidly comming to the forefront of the worlds number one problem.

]]> By: sfsa78 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247155 sfsa78 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:09:15 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247155 Just give them the passports, then go to your embassy and get a replacement since you lost the first. easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! :) Just give them the passports, then go to your embassy and get a replacement since you lost the first. easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! :)

]]> By: Ari http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247113 Ari Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:22:07 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247113 Alrighty, heres my two-cents on this one: When I first starting recruiting for the company from the UK, we did not collect passports as we did not think that this would be benefcicial to company reputation, as well as the fact that we wanted to break-free of the current mold. The result? Two girls in our Kuwait branch just 'up n left, after we spent so much money on their tickets, training, travels, accomodations and package, and two girls in Dubai left as well. One even stole company property, laptop, money, and car, which we found valeted two weeks later with the help of the police. So now on all contracts, it clearly says that company will hold all passports and will return them whenever employer asks for them to travel. Im sorry if expats dont like it, but i need to protect myself as well. Alrighty, heres my two-cents on this one: When I first starting recruiting for the company from the UK, we did not collect passports as we did not think that this would be benefcicial to company reputation, as well as the fact that we wanted to break-free of the current mold. The result? Two girls in our Kuwait branch just ‘up n left, after we spent so much money on their tickets, training, travels, accomodations and package, and two girls in Dubai left as well. One even stole company property, laptop, money, and car, which we found valeted two weeks later with the help of the police. So now on all contracts, it clearly says that company will hold all passports and will return them whenever employer asks for them to travel. Im sorry if expats dont like it, but i need to protect myself as well.

]]> By: Kiwi Nomad http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247086 Kiwi Nomad Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:17:38 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-247086 Have the Embassies of Indonesia, the Phillipines, India, Sri Lanka, et al. ever asked for their citizen's passports back from a Kuwaiti sponsor? Not that I'm aware of. Have the Embassies of Indonesia, the Phillipines, India, Sri Lanka, et al. ever asked for their citizen’s passports back from a Kuwaiti sponsor? Not that I’m aware of.

]]> By: MHG http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246394 MHG Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:46:04 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246394 i don't think the laws are the problem. its implementing them and ensuring that you have a system that ensures there implementation. Plus, how can the Ministry overtake some serious business personalities, to whom top officials in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, probably owe huge favors? i don’t think the laws are the problem. its implementing them and ensuring that you have a system that ensures there implementation. Plus, how can the Ministry overtake some serious business personalities, to whom top officials in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, probably owe huge favors?

]]> By: Tim http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246271 Tim Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:29:16 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246271 "fatfukka" (nice name) is correct about the lack of signing the resolution BUT: (1) Sheikh Sabah's decision still stands; and (2) it doesn't detract from the fact - mentioned by "mr a" - that the passport itself isn't owned by the employee at all but is the property of the relevant foreign government. If the relevant embassy demands it back, the employer cannot retain it as it has no right whatsoever to retain it. This has happened on a number of occasions but with only limited success. If the embassies had some more confidence in themselves they would apply direct pressure and the pincer movement of the recent Ministry of Social Affairs decision, and Embassy pressure, should slowly prevail over what I personally think is an abusive, racist and anachronistic procedure. “fatfukka” (nice name) is correct about the lack of signing the resolution BUT: (1) Sheikh Sabah’s decision still stands; and (2) it doesn’t detract from the fact - mentioned by “mr a” - that the passport itself isn’t owned by the employee at all but is the property of the relevant foreign government. If the relevant embassy demands it back, the employer cannot retain it as it has no right whatsoever to retain it. This has happened on a number of occasions but with only limited success. If the embassies had some more confidence in themselves they would apply direct pressure and the pincer movement of the recent Ministry of Social Affairs decision, and Embassy pressure, should slowly prevail over what I personally think is an abusive, racist and anachronistic procedure.

]]> By: didats http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246243 didats Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:21:23 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246243 fyi, they not only took their passport. they also hold it till you in the airport. ok, one of my friend resign for some-company. he didn't get the last salary (the contract said that), and he cannot take his passport till 2 or 3 hours before he go to his country. such a weird company fyi,
they not only took their passport. they also hold it till you in the airport.

ok, one of my friend resign for some-company. he didn’t get the last salary (the contract said that), and he cannot take his passport till 2 or 3 hours before he go to his country.

such a weird company

]]> By: fatfukka http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246168 fatfukka Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:42:48 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246168 Read reply 16. you CANNOT sue them, they DID NOT sign the convention allowing migrant workers to retain their passports. Read reply 16.

you CANNOT sue them, they DID NOT sign the convention allowing migrant workers to retain their passports.

]]> By: Abraaj http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246110 Abraaj Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:54:57 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246110 OMFG talk about arrogant ignorant noobs OMFG talk about arrogant ignorant noobs

]]> By: fadibou http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246109 fadibou Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:50:18 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246109 Sue them, just call the ministry of labor and Sue them. They are violating the law !!!! Sue them, just call the ministry of labor and Sue them.
They are violating the law !!!!

]]> By: Hellraiser http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246095 Hellraiser Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:27:37 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246095 As the saying goes Keifiiii!!! As the saying goes Keifiiii!!!

]]> By: Sam http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246032 Sam Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:56:36 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-246032 hehhe lolz. Resign ??? we cant change our residence also. hehhe lolz. Resign ??? we cant change our residence also.

]]> By: kilo http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-245964 kilo Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:12:13 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-245964 Sam, you can resign.. or sue them for taking ur passport & then get sacked :p fucked up situation huh! Sam, you can resign.. or sue them for taking ur passport & then get sacked :p
fucked up situation huh!

]]> By: Sam http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-245949 Sam Wed, 01 Aug 2007 06:59:51 +0000 http://www.248am.com/mark/kuwait/are-they-allowed-to-take-your-passport/#comment-245949 But they force us to give our passport to them. What can i do??? But they force us to give our passport to them. What can i do???

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