Kuwait is reportedly preparing to introduce an advanced “smart system” to regulate the flow of foreign workers into the country.
Dr. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, has announced that the country aims to establish mechanisms for evaluating the professional skills of incoming workers, according to a report by Kuwait Times.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to identify sectors with high demand for foreign labour and prioritise employment opportunities for young Kuwaiti citizens in the private sector.
Dr. Mahdi stressed the importance of ensuring that foreign workers possess the qualifications required for the specific jobs they are recruited for, stating that it is illogical for someone who was a truck driver in their home country to suddenly become an engineer in the host country. To achieve this goal, Kuwait plans to launch an online platform to screen potential workers and verify their qualifications prior to their arrival.
Dr. Abdulredha Asiri, a member of the National Human Rights Diwan, expressed the significance of safeguarding the rights of both citizens and expatriates, supporting these efforts.
Ghassan Al-Khojeh, the Resident Representative of the World Bank in Kuwait, called for well-regulated systems in the expatriates’ home countries for dispatching laborers to work abroad.
The World Bank’s report, which advocates for constructive and sustainable development, has garnered attention from 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 concerning the report on migrants and refugees.
In a separate development, sources within the interior ministry revealed that the number of expatriates deported this year is expected to surpass 50,000, nearly doubling the previous year’s figures. This increase is attributed to intensified security efforts and inspection campaigns in areas with a significant expatriate population. Violations such as expired residency permits, wanted individuals, and absconders will lead to arrests and subsequent deportation.
Furthermore, Kuwait intends to implement biometric scanning to create 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 both citizens and residents. He emphasised that biometric scanning would be mandatory upon arrival but not before departure.
