Kuwait job ad for Sudanese women causes offence

The Sudanese Ministry of Human Resource Development and Labour has denied any connection with an "undignified" controversial ad for women employees published in the newspaper al-Intibaha. The ad, for a job in Kuwait, described the ideal candidate as "beautiful," "not dark-skinned" and "no older than 35" and requested a "full body" photograph. Minister Ishraqa Sayed Mahmoud launched a scathing attack on her ministry's Social Services Fund and held it responsible for the "chaos." She also implied the fund was implicated in offering "fictitious employment contracts." Mahmoud said the ministry had "taken measures" against some employment agencies for breaching laws and added that the agency which placed the ad will be reported for fraud. A statement released by the ministry held employment firm, Abu Jamal, responsible and described the ad as "undignified" and "not in keeping with Sudanese values." The Minister of State at the Ministry of Human Development, Ahmed Karamno, said the ministry had suspended the agency and explained that the former has working relationships with employment agencies which are required to receive the ministry's permission before advertising posts abroad. He said the state authority imposes certain criteria on ads but that the agency in question had breached them.  He also said an investigation has been launched into the incident. "The ministry will review many of its fundamental methods in handling such cases," he said.