[Kuwait] Workplace inspections target expats over 60

As around 54,000 expats over 60 in Kuwait nervously await the end of a months-long ban on renewing their work permits, they are also becoming the target of a wave of workplace inspections during the standoff, Gulf News reports.

A Kuwaiti newspaper reported the latest challenge facing senior expatriates. The news comes in the wake of a disputed ban on renewing work permits for this category of expats who hold no university degree that has been in effect in Kuwait for several months now, spelling trouble for them and their families.

Some companies terminated the service of foreign employees over the age of 60 this week, according to Al Rai newspaper which cited unidentified sources.

The employers informed the expats that they had to let them go in order to curb potential problems. The affected expatriates were reportedly promised that they could be reinstated, depending on their companies’ needs, if an approval allowing them to have their work permits renewed is officially issued, the sources said.

Even if the work permits are renewed the expatriates targeted by the inspections will face the challenge of finding new sponsors, sources noted.

A solution to the drawn-out issue is now waiting for an official decision shifting the affiliation of the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) to the Justice Ministry to give the recently appointed Minister Jamal Al Jalwai authority to decide on the ban.

Mandatory health insurance

Al Rai reportedly speculated that the minister may scrap this ban completely, approve the renewal of expatriates’ work permits for an annual fee of KD500 along with mandatory health insurance or make do with the insurance only

In October 2021, the Kuwaiti Legal Advice and Legislation Department invalidated the ban on employing expatriates above 60, saying it had no legal basis.

The Cabinet-linked department said the ban had been issued by PAM director-general without authorisation.

At the time, a proposal was floated that those expatriates should be allowed to renew their work permits in return for a fee of KD500 per person and mandatory health insurance.

The PAM board later approved the revocation of the ban and endorsed a new renewal system. However, it has not come into effect.

The controversial ban, which went into effect earlier last year, caused an outcry from rights activists who argued that it affects thousands of expatriates and their families who are long term Kuwait residents.

In the six months following the enforcement of the ban around 4,013 such expatriates were forced out of the work market in Kuwait, Al Qabas newspaper recently reported.

Critics said the restriction has additionally harmed many employers and destabilised the labour market in Kuwait by robbing it of experienced workers.

As around 54,000 expats over 60 in Kuwait nervously await the end of a months-long ban on renewing their work permits, they are also becoming the target of a wave of workplace inspections during the standoff, Gulf News reports.

A Kuwaiti newspaper reported the latest challenge facing senior expatriates. The news comes in the wake of a disputed ban on renewing work permits for this category of expats who hold no university degree that has been in effect in Kuwait for several months now, spelling trouble for them and their families.

Some companies terminated the service of foreign employees over the age of 60 this week, according to Al Rai newspaper which cited unidentified sources.

The employers informed the expats that they had to let them go in order to curb potential problems. The affected expatriates were reportedly promised that they could be reinstated, depending on their companies’ needs, if an approval allowing them to have their work permits renewed is officially issued, the sources said.

Even if the work permits are renewed the expatriates targeted by the inspections will face the challenge of finding new sponsors, sources noted.

A solution to the drawn-out issue is now waiting for an official decision shifting the affiliation of the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) to the Justice Ministry to give the recently appointed Minister Jamal Al Jalwai authority to decide on the ban.

Mandatory health insurance

Al Rai reportedly speculated that the minister may scrap this ban completely, approve the renewal of expatriates’ work permits for an annual fee of KD500 along with mandatory health insurance or make do with the insurance only

In October 2021, the Kuwaiti Legal Advice and Legislation Department invalidated the ban on employing expatriates above 60, saying it had no legal basis.

The Cabinet-linked department said the ban had been issued by PAM director-general without authorisation.

At the time, a proposal was floated that those expatriates should be allowed to renew their work permits in return for a fee of KD500 per person and mandatory health insurance.

The PAM board later approved the revocation of the ban and endorsed a new renewal system. However, it has not come into effect.

The controversial ban, which went into effect earlier last year, caused an outcry from rights activists who argued that it affects thousands of expatriates and their families who are long term Kuwait residents.

In the six months following the enforcement of the ban around 4,013 such expatriates were forced out of the work market in Kuwait, Al Qabas newspaper recently reported.

Critics said the restriction has additionally harmed many employers and destabilised the labour market in Kuwait by robbing it of experienced workers.