Kuwait Announces New System To Regulate Expats: Report
Kuwait will soon introduce a “smart system” for regulating the influx of foreign labour, according to reports. Dr Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, announced on Wednesday that the country intends to introduce mechanisms to assess the professional skills of incoming workers.
This move is part of an overall strategy to identify areas of high demand for foreign labour and prioritise employment opportunities for young Kuwaiti citizens in the private sector. Dr Mahdi emphasised the need to ensure that foreign workers are qualified for the specific jobs they are being recruited for, stating, “It does not make sense that a truck driver in his home country turns into an engineer in the host state.”
To achieve this, the State plans to launch an online platform to screen potential workers, verifying their qualifications before arrival. In support of these efforts, Dr Abdulredha Asiri, a member of the National Human Rights Diwan, stressed the importance of protecting the rights of both citizens and expats.
Ghassan Al-Khojeh, the Resident Representative of the World Bank in Kuwait, called for the expat’s home countries to have well-regulated systems for dispatching labourers to work abroad. The report issued by the World Bank, which advocates for constructive and sustainable development, has drawn the attention of international organisations.
Nisrin Rebaiaan, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, confirmed that the World Bank had invited them to participate in a consultative commission regarding the report on migrants and refugees. On another note, sources within the interior ministry revealed that the number of expats deported this year is expected to exceed 50,000, almost double the figure from the previous year.
The ministry attributes this increase to intensified security efforts and inspection campaigns in areas with a high expatriate population. Kuwait plans to implement biometrics scanning, creating a comprehensive database of individuals aged 18 and above residing in the country.
Violations such as expired residency permits wanted individuals, and absconders will result in arrests and subsequent deportation. Moreover, Kuwait plans to implement biometrics scanning, creating a comprehensive database of individuals aged 18 and above residing in the country.
Lt Gen Anwar Al-Barjas, the Interior Ministry Undersecretary, assured the public that the ministry would facilitate the registration process for citizens and residents alike, emphasising that biometric scanning would be mandatory upon arrival but not prior to departure.
