Asian Women Workers in Kuwait

Abstract

As a percentage of the female expatriate labor force in Kuwait, Asians increased from 13 percent in 1965 to 68 percent in 1985. A major reason for this is the increase in domestic servants, especially in Kuwaiti households, 62 percent having at least one servant. Maids come mainly from Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines. A majority are married, aged 20–39 and earn KD 39 (US$130) a month. Some are faced with horrific living conditions. In contrast, the professional and clerical females earn KD242 (US$800). Regression analysis indicates the wage differentials between Asian and national women to be significant and indicative of discrimination.