Kuwait city: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah emphasized the urgent need to overhaul Kuwait's labor laws to align them with the country's economic developments. Speaking at the first dialogue session organized by the Public Authority for Manpower with business owners, titled "Success Partners," Sheikh Fahad stressed the importance of reforming the labor market through regulation and support for the corporate sector.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Sheikh Fahad warned against circumventing labor market regulations, highlighting a recent case where an expatriate used a citizen's license for money laundering and illicitly repatriated approximately KD 100 million (USD 327.7 million). He reiterated the state's commitment to enforcing the law and holding citizens accountable for regulatory violations.
Sheikh Fahad discussed the interior ministry's rigorous enforcement campaign, which led to the deportation of 39,000 foreign nationals last year for violating residency and labor statutes. Additionally, over 3,000 licenses of non-compliant companies were canceled, and nine nurseries were shut down for employing domestic workers illegally. He urged commercial license holders to report absentee workers to protect their contractual rights.
Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, Rabab Al-Osaimi, noted that 65 percent of the Authority's transactions are processed electronically, with 25 million transactions completed last year. The Authority is introducing artificial intelligence systems to assist employers and streamline transaction processing. Al-Osaimi also highlighted the ongoing efforts to amend the labor law to enhance the legislative system and work environment, encouraging attendees to submit proposals for consideration.