DESK REVIEW ON POPULATIONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS B.2.d. Bilateral Agreement140 On 11 May 2018, the Public Authority of Manpower of the Government of the State of Kuwait, and the DOLE signed a Bilateral Agreement on the Employment of Domestic Workers. The agreement is based on “the shared desire of the ‘Parties’ to ensure the rights of Filipino domestic workers…” It sets out nine “areas of cooperation” in Article 1 including: (1) ethical recruitment policies systems and procedures; (2) a standard employment contract; (3) ensuring recruitment and entry of domestic workers, as well as their repatriation is in accordance with laws and regulations of both parties; (4) taking legal measures against parties who violate contract provisions, laws, or regulations; (5) resolve any issue arising from this agreement; (6) provide a mechanism of inspection and monitoring of the level of care offered to the domestic workers through official authorities; (7) guarantee compliance with recruitment laws and regulations of both countries; (8) working to reduce costs of recruitment; and (9) to open all areas of cooperation relating to sending and recruiting domestic workers through license recruitment offices. Article 2 sets out Kuwait’s responsibilities, and includes establishing a mechanism to provide 24-hour assistance to the domestic worker; prohibiting the employer from holding the domestic workers’ personal identity documents such as a passport or confiscating their phone; and facilitating the repatriation of domestic workers “upon contract completion or labor contract violation” among other provisions. Article 3 sets out the responsibilities of the Philippines and includes verifying all standard contracts signed by the parties. Importantly, Article 4 established a “Joint Committee” with representatives of senior officials of both parties to conduct periodic review, assessment and monitoring, and to resolve disputes arising from implementation and interpretation of the agreement. The agreement is effective for four years and is renewed automatically. B.3. Qatar B.3.a. General Background An estimated 89% of Qatar’s population are non-citizens.141 Qatar is reportedly home to more than 230,000 Filipinos, but the situation is in flux due to the pandemic.142 A travel ban was implemented suddenly by Qatar against travelers from the Philippines in 2020 Agreement on Employment of Domestic Workers Between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the State of Kuwait. 140 Population of Qatar by nationality - 2019 report, 15 August 2019, available at: https://priyadsouza.com/population-of-qatarby-nationality-in-2017/. 141 Nick Aspinwall, Left high and dry: Virus ban hits millions of Philippine workers: Travel bans implemented by their own government as well as foreign countries, put jobs and incomes at risk, Al Jazeera, 12 Mar 2020, available at: https://www. aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/philippines-legion-overseas-workers-pay-price-virus-bans-200312021938306.html. 142 46 UNHCR / April 2021