Expats - Gulf Insider

6 days ago

MPs Propose Stricter Rules On Expat Worker Street-Side Labour

Expat workers milling on street corners for freelance maintenance work, waiting hours, sometimes days, are in Parliament’s sights as MPs push for tighter rules and greater accountability on sponsors. A group of MPs, led by Khalid Buanaq, has put forward the plan, warning that unchecked day labour is adding strain to markets and neighbourhoods. Their proposal points to clusters of workers, often seen waiting in the hope of securing short- term jobs in home repairs, plumbing, painting, or other manual trades. The concern is that this not only leaves many without stable income but also raises questions about the wider effects on the community. Daily crime rates “This isn’t just an economic issue,” the proposal states. “It is also tied to rising daily crime rates among irregular workers, some of whom, out of desperation, may break the law. The government must step in, set clear rules, and hold those responsible for bringing in these workers accountable if they leave them to drift without jobs.” The MPs suggest two paths forward: either placing workers under proper sponsorship with jobs lined up or arranging for their return home. They argue that without firm action, the situation will continue to weigh on the […]

7 days ago

Kuwait Loses Over 30,000 Domestic Workers in 18 Months

Kuwait is facing a deepening shortage of domestic workers, with official data showing a decline of more than 30,000 workers over the past 18 months — an average of 55 workers leaving per day — as recruitment challenges and regional competition intensify. Figures from the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) show the total number of domestic workers fell to 780,930 by the end of December 2024, down from 811,307 in mid-2023. Officials say the drop is being driven by a mix of foreign labor restrictions, rising Gulf demand, and shifting domestic trends. Hamad Al Ali, an official at a domestic workers recruitment office, said several Asian countries have scaled back labor exports to Kuwait, citing pre-arrival fees imposed on workers. “The well-documented issue with Filipino domestic workers has also impacted the numbers,” he said, referring to labour disputes that have disrupted supply in recent years. Al Ali added that some Kuwaiti families are opting to reduce reliance on domestic help, following a string of high-profile incidents involving worker-related crimes. The labor shortage is being further fueled by increased demand across neighboring Gulf countries, where workers are drawn by better job offers and working conditions. Restrictions on certain nationalities Meanwhile, Kuwait’s own restrictions on certain nationalities have further tightened the labour pipeline. […]

1 week ago

Saudi: Over 40,000 Expatriates Face Legal Procedures for Regulatory Enforcement

Saudi Arabia conducted nationwide inspection campaigns between February 27 and March 5 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws, resulting in 20,749 recorded violations. Authorities reported 13,871 violations related to residency, 3,517 involving border security, and 3,361 concerning labor regulations. A total of 1,051 individuals attempted to cross into the Kingdom illegally, with 43% identified as Yemenis, 54% as Ethiopians, and 3% from other nationalities. Additionally, 90 people were apprehended while trying to leave the country unlawfully. Security forces also arrested 12 individuals for facilitating the transportation, sheltering, and employment of violators. Currently, 40,173 expatriates — 35,862 men and 4,311 women — are undergoing legal procedures for regulatory enforcement. Among those detained, 32,375 violators have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation, while 2,576 have been directed to arrange departure bookings. Authorities have also repatriated 10,024 individuals. The Ministry of Interior warned that those aiding illegal entry, transportation, or sheltering of violators may face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used for such purposes. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest. The ministry urged citizens […]

4 weeks ago

Indian Expat Faces Jail Term, Deportation for Fatal Crash

The Public Prosecution of the Sultanate of Oman has sentenced Mohammed Faras, an Indian national, to two years in prison and a three-month driving ban. The court ruling stems from a tragic incident where Faras was driving at high speed in the wrong direction on a divided road, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to fifteen others. In addition to the prison sentence, Faras is also required to pay for the damages caused by his reckless actions. Following the completion of his prison term, he will be deported from Oman. This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of reckless driving and emphasises the critical importance of adhering to traffic laws to ensure public safety. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Faras remains in custody. Also read: All Passport And Attestation Centres For Indian Expats In UAE To Change This Year

1 month ago

74 Expats Deported From Kuwait Over Traffic Violations

Kuwait deported 74 expats last year after they violated the country’s traffic law as part of stringent penalties to boost road safety, according to a security official. Brig. Mohammed Al Subhan said the deportees’ violations were either driving a car without a licence or committing serious infringements. He told Kuwait TV that the total violations of seat belts and using the phone by hand at the wheel reached 61,553 last year. The official added that recent amendments to the Kuwait traffic law came due to the rise in accidents, violations and deaths. The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait, a country of 4.7 million, records between 200 and 300 traffic accidents per day, resulting in 28 to 30 injuries, according to Brig. Al Subhan. Some 90% of accidents are caused by inattention while driving. Traffic accidents in Kuwait resulted last year in 284 deaths against 296 in 2023, according to official figures. New traffic law The fatalities included 11 children under the age of 14. Kuwait is set to enforce in April a new traffic law that incorporates stringent penalties and hefty fines aimed at curbing reckless driving and enhancing road safety, replacing a traffic law that went into effect in […]

1 month ago

All Passport And Attestation Centres For Indian Expats In UAE To Change This Year

All passport and attestation centres for Indian expats in the UAE are set to change, as the Indian missions plan to launch a unified service centre with branches in 14 locations no sooner than the second quarter of this year, Gulf News can reveal. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has reopened a tender inviting bids from service providers to run Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) which will merge all the consular services under one facility. The Embassy has proposed 14 branches of ICAC to serve more than four million Indians living in the UAE and foreigners seeking Indian visa services through the Indian missions here. Currently, two different service providers offer outsourced services for the missions. BLS International processes the passport and visa applications while IVS Global handles the document attestation services and some services are handled at the Embassy and the Indian Consulate in Dubai. Quick and transparent The new unified facility is proposed to offer comprehensive, quick and transparent services in prime locations with strict requirements to streamline services, reduce waiting times and ensure enhanced efficiency and accessibility. The embassy had previously issued a similar tender in 2023, with plans to launch the ICAC project in January […]

2 months ago

Bahrain: MPs Back 2% Tax On Expat Remittances

Expat remittances in Bahrain may face a 2 per cent tax after MPs gave their backing to a revised proposal today. The original plan outlined a tiered system, imposing a 1 per cent levy on transfers below 200 dinars, 2 per cent on amounts between 201 and 400 dinars, and 3 per cent on sums exceeding 400 dinars. It also offered exemptions for transfers tied to investment agreements, capital movements, and certain cases under Bahrain’s tax framework. However, MPs have now opted for a simpler approach—a flat 2 per cent rate, aimed at making it easier to enforce. The proposal has already faced resistance. In January 2024, the Shura Council rejected it over fears that the tax might push expats to rely on informal transfer methods, such as black markets or cryptocurrencies, potentially destabilising Bahrain’s financial system. Since its first submission in February 2023, the bill has undergone multiple revisions to address these concerns. Pushed forward by Lulwa Al Rumaihi and backed by Dr Muneer Seroor along with three other MPs, the bill is part of a broader effort to reduce Bahrain’s dependence on oil revenue. Supporters argue that taxing the millions of dinars sent abroad each year could help […]

2 months ago

Kuwait Deports Over 600 Illegal Expats In The First 13 Days Of January

Kuwait has deported 648 illegal expats in the first 13 days of the current month, according to security authorities pursuing a relentless crackdown on unlawful residents in the country. The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry’s General Department of Residency Affairs added that 509 other violators of the country’s residency and labor laws have been rounded up during the same period. In the first half of January, security agencies conducted 28 campaigns across all governorates of Kuwait, targeting violators of residency and labor laws, the department said. The ministry has repeatedly vowed to show no leniency in enforcing the law and arresting violators of residency regulations, stressing that both the illegal worker and the employer will be held accountable. Kuwait, a country with an overall population of 4.9 million, most of whom are foreign nationals, is seeking to address its demographic imbalance and regulate the labor market. Authorities have recently launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign residents who failed to take advantage of a grace period to rectify their status. Thousands have been apprehended. A new residency law, which came into effect earlier this month, offers potential reconciliation and the payment of fines by violators. However, this law does not apply to […]

2 months ago

Bahrain: Shura Council Rejects Proposal For Stricter Hiring Requirements For Expats, Calling It Unnecessary And Unworkable

Stricter rules for hiring non-Bahrainis could backfire by giving foreign workers an unfair advantage, the Shura Council warned yesterday, as it rejected a controversial proposal to amend the Civil Service Law. The proposal sought to impose a master’s degree, 10 years of experience, and two-year contract limits for foreign hires, while requiring them to train Bahraini employees. Members also raised alarm over the continued presence of 5,800 expatriates in public sector roles, despite a five-year reduction of just 2,000. Parliament passed the proposal in October, aiming to open up more opportunities for Bahrainis. However, the Shura Council called the proposal unnecessary and unworkable, with members pointing out that some of its measures already exist in law. Red tape The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, His Excellency Ghanim Buainain, said, “The current law already ensures foreign contracts include training Bahraini employees. What we see here isn’t filling a gap, but adding more red tape.” Buainain also noted that Council members opposed the master’s degree requirement, arguing it would do more harm than good. “This condition would just add to costs and create barriers in hiring for critical roles,” he said. Dr Mohammed Ali Hassan backed the importance of prioritising Bahraini workers but […]

2 months ago

Minimum 30-Day Validity Of Iqama Is Required To Issue Final Exit Visa

The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) emphasized that there must be a minimum validity period of 30 days for the residency permit (Iqama) of a foreign worker to get issued a final exit visa for the worker. The Jawazat urged the employer and the head of the family to renew the Iqama before approaching it to get issued the final exit visa if the validity of the worker’s Iqama is less than 30 days. The directorate stated that if the validity of the expatriate’s ID is more than 30 days and less than 60 days, the final exit visa can be issued and the visa’s duration will be the remaining validity period of the Iqama. If the validity of the Iqama is 60 days or more, the final exit visa, with a duration of 60 days, will be issued. The Jawazat noted that the employer and the head of the family can issue final exit visa for their workers and dependent family members of their workers through the Ministry of Interior’s electronic services platform “Absher and Absher Business” and the Muqeem portal, and that this electronic service is free and can be benefited from it without payment of any fees.

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MPs Propose Stricter Rules On Expat Worker Street-Side Labour

Kuwait Loses Over 30,000 Domestic Workers in 18 Months

Saudi: Over 40,000 Expatriates Face Legal Procedures for Regulatory Enforcement

Indian Expat Faces Jail Term, Deportation for Fatal Crash

74 Expats Deported From Kuwait Over Traffic Violations

All Passport And Attestation Centres For Indian Expats In UAE To Change This Year

Bahrain: MPs Back 2% Tax On Expat Remittances

Kuwait Deports Over 600 Illegal Expats In The First 13 Days Of January

Bahrain: Shura Council Rejects Proposal For Stricter Hiring Requirements For Expats, Calling It Unnecessary And Unworkable

Minimum 30-Day Validity Of Iqama Is Required To Issue Final Exit Visa

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