KUWAIT CITY, June 5: The Gulf Arab state of Kuwait said on Sunday it may change labour laws that have come under fire for creating unfair conditions for Kuwait’s 1.8 million foreign workers. The US Department of State in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report released on Friday criticised Kuwait and three other Gulf states for not doing enough to halt human trafficking and child labour.

“Yes, the labour market has many problems, but we are actively working to safeguard the integrity of foreign workers by issuing more regulations,” said Adnan al-Omar, a labour ministry official.

Currently, foreigners working in Kuwait’s private sector must have a “sponsor,” a regulation which restricts their movement and puts them at the mercy of their employers.

He said Kuwait has been cooperating with the International Labour Organization for the past four years, and is considering ILO suggestions for changing the sponsor requirement.—AFP