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Mixed reactions to Kuwait’s new exit permit rule for expat workers

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Some employers welcome tighter controls, while some employees fear increased restrictions

KUWAIT: From July 1, 2025, expatriate workers in Kuwait’s private sector will need an exit permit from their sponsor to leave the country. The regulation aims to streamline departures and protect both employer and employee rights. Reactions to the new measure have been mixed. Speaking to Kuwait Times, employer Adel Suliman voiced support for the decision, while emphasizing the need for further system enhancements. “I hope leave types can be categorized into ‘internal’ and ‘external’. Some workers request annual leave but remain in the country, and in such cases, sponsors should not be held legally responsible,” he said, calling for a digitalized process to minimize administrative burdens on employers.

Employer Homoud Al-Ajmi also praised the move, highlighting its importance for business owners. “This is an excellent step, which many responsible employers have long awaited. We also hope the regulation will include mandatory return dates for expatriate workers, with clear consequences such as residency cancellation if they overstay without employer and ministry of interior approval. Some workers take a one-month leave and return late, which causes delays in company operations. Deducting from salaries is not enough — the sponsor should be allowed to protect his business and prevent such people from coming back to the country,” he said.

Al-Ajmi further suggested that Kuwait follow the example of other Gulf countries, where overstaying a vacation can result in a five-year entry ban. “This is vital to protect national economic interests, preserve job opportunities for citizens and reduce the financial burden on the state budget,” he added.

On the other hand, business owner Abu Ali criticized the decision, suggesting it should only apply to sensitive positions such as managers, accountants or cashiers. “Why all this hassle for regular jobs? This just adds to the daily load and stress for employers. Unfortunately, this may also give visa traders an excuse to demand more money in exchange for approving workers’ leaves,” he pointed out. He advised the minister to focus more on the issue of runaway domestic workers. “There are many labor violations and financial losses due to runaway workers. There should be a way to prevent them.”

Meanwhile, expatriate workers expressed concern that the decision could be misused by employers to exert further control. “This will give more power to the sponsor to mistreat employees. I’ve been trying to get medical leave for surgery for months, but my manager keeps refusing. This policy may worsen such cases,” Salem Oudeh warned.

One worker proposed a system where the state, rather than employers, acts as the legal sponsor of expatriate workers, handling residency renewals while companies function purely as contracting entities. “This could reduce exploitation, bribery, and unjust practices against workers,” Othman Osama said.

Mohammad Saed suggested the system be applied selectively. “Instead of applying it to everyone, there should be a feature where an employer can flag a specific employee who shouldn’t be allowed to travel without their approval. Emergencies happen, and some people need to leave immediately — especially in cases of family deaths.”

As for Ahmad Aziz, overly strict regulations could stifle economic growth and flexibility. “While the move to enforce a mandatory exit permit may help regulate the labor market and protect employers’ rights, I must emphasize that strict laws and excessive red tape hinder market growth. We all want a flourishing and flexible economy — only then will the benefits truly reach everyone: workers, employers, and the country,” he said.

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Kuwait, UAE team up in drug bust

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PACI employee arrested for forging addresses for bribes • More citizenships revoked

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti security men busted an attempt to smuggle a large drugs haul with a street value estimated at KD 1.5 million, with the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates’ interior ministry, a statement announced on Thursday. The haul consisted of 10 kg of heroin and 100 kg of shabu, an illegal chemical substance, and was destined for an Afghan man who was arrested, the interior ministry said.

Through security cooperation with the UAE, the Kuwaiti authorities received information of the shipment that was due to arrive at Shuwaikh Port and belonged to an organized international network. The container was allowed to leave the port by customs men and the receiver, an Afghan man, was arrested at Amghara industrial area, west of Kuwait City.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah thanked the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Emirati officials for the cooperation that led to the huge bust, stressing the importance of continued security coordination. The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to countering the drug threat and safeguarding national security through local and international partnerships.

Separately, the interior ministry announced on Thursday the arrest of an employee working at the Public Authority for Civil Information on charges of forging official documents and accepting bribes. The ministry said the bust followed information and coordination with officials from the civil information authority, revealing the suspect had exploited his job authority to access the electronic system and change residents’ addresses without their presence or submission of official documents, in violation of established regulations.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had added fake addresses in exchange for payments of up to KD 120 per transaction, abusing his position for illicit gain. He was found to have processed over 5,000 transactions since the beginning of this year in collaboration with a number of middlemen inside and outside Kuwait.

Two middlemen were arrested, along with seven individuals who had paid money to complete their transactions. The suspect was found to have used the illicit proceeds to purchase jewelry, gold bars and luxury items in an attempt to conceal the source of the funds. The suspects and the seized items were referred to the public prosecution for legal action.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry said on Thursday that the Supreme Commission for Nationality has decided to revoke the citizenship of an unspecified number of people for a variety of reasons. The ministry said in a statement that the citizenships were revoked because holders held citizenship of a third country, banned under Kuwaiti law, while others held citizenships that were obtained through false information and forgery.

Some other citizenships were revoked for the sake of the country’s national interests and others because holders violated their loyalty to the country. The ministry gave no details about the numbers. The commission has in the past 15 months stripped over 37,000 people of their Kuwaiti citizenship, about 29,000 of them were foreign women who became Kuwaitis after getting married to Kuwaiti men.

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5-week program aims to prepare Kuwaiti youth for employment

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5-week program aims to prepare Kuwaiti youth for employment

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KRCS, WHO discuss cooperation in health and training fields

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Vice Chairman Dr Nasser Al-Tannak affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) across various health and training sectors, particularly in light of growing global health challenges. Speaking to KUNA following a meeting with WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Kuwait Dr Asad Hafeez, Al-Tannak revealed that KRCS is working towards signing a memorandum of understanding with the WHO’s Kuwait office.

The agreement will cover key areas including mental health, risk awareness, addiction prevention, and the development of specialized training programs. Al-Tannak noted that the KRCS Board of Directors is committed to advancing a comprehensive strategy for training employees and volunteers in accordance with international standards. This initiative aims to enhance their capabilities, particularly in emergency and disaster response operations.

He emphasized that this approach reflects the Society’s vision of building a well-qualified humanitarian workforce, capable of responding swiftly and effectively to humanitarian calls worldwide. He added that KRCS stands as a distinguished example of institutional humanitarian work in the region. During the meeting, WHO officials were briefed on the Society’s wide-ranging efforts in relief, healthcare, development, and humanitarian assistance, as well as its community-driven initiatives and key achievements over the past year. These accomplishments, he said, mark a qualitative leap in KRCS operations and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to serving humanity.

For his part, Dr Hafeez commended the Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s role in conducting awareness campaigns and offering psychological and social support. He also praised the Society’s work in strengthening volunteer capabilities to manage health emergencies. Dr Hafeez stressed the significance of continued collaboration to enhance readiness and response to health crises both in Kuwait and the broader region, noting KRCS’s extensive experience and high credibility in the fields of humanitarian, relief, and public health work. — KUNA

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