Kuwait plans to trim down Egyptian, Indian labor forces

Kuwait's immigration authorities are studying the possibility of imposing new limitations on issuing work permits to Egyptian and Indian laborers. In a report that appeared in Al-Shahed newspaper, quoting officials from the Ministry, the move is being considered to curb the rapid population growth of the two main expatriate communities in Kuwait. Indian nationals continue to dominate the number of expatriate residents in Kuwait, with 624,841 residents as of Sept 6, out of whom 19,457 work in the public sector, 282,568 are employed in the private sector and 238, 000 are employed as drivers and housemaids. The Egyptian community comes in second place with a strength of 439,845. At least 44,614 are employed in the public sector, 269,122 work in the private sector, and 124,259 are in the country on dependant visas. When contacted for comments, Vinod Kumar, Head of Public Relations at the Indian Embassy noted that no official confirmation has been received, "We don't know about it and no official statements have been received from the host government regarding any limitations of sorts; so it's premature to react. According to sources, the Ministry of Interior's Migration General Department is considering enforcing a regulation that could restrict the issuance of work permits for specific professions, focusing strictly on labor force that is highly professional and academically qualified. A decision is expected to be made within a few days, sources said. Indian expatriates have mixed feelings about the decision. Bino, an administrative staff at a private company in Shuwaikh said, "First and foremost, we are here because they need our skills. We are numerically stronger because they allow us to come and work here." "Maybe it is because they trust us, they are pleased with our contribution to their economy. We are known to be a hardworking and peace-loving community. Besides, we don't create any trouble or flout the Kuwaiti law like other nationalities. An Indian woman working as executive secretary in a furniture shop said, "I think it will create a negative impact on Kuwait's economy if they pursue the plan because we are employed in jobs that the locals shy away from being engaged. If they stop, then, we cannot do anything about it," she said. "I don't mind, and I think, Indians would not mind as well. Anyway, the news say only 'to limit' not 'to stop.' They are free to do whatever they want when it comes to their country's affairs. An Egyptian national told Kuwait Times that the regulation will affect all expatriates, "The authorities are going to impose the so-called selective hiring in order to balance the population between locals and expats," he said. "There is no such specific plan for specific nationalities. I think it will be applied to all expats not only to us," he added. The statistics, which was released last week, also shows that Bangladeshi nationals form the third largest expatriate community in Kuwait with 192,178 (6,674 working in the public sector, 115,646 employed in private sector, 62, 000 domestic workers and 6,000 holders of dependant visas). It is followed by the Filipino community with 131,735 (3,198 working in public sector), 46, 000 in private sector, and 74,000 domestic workers). The Syrian community meanwhile occupies the fifth place with 130,189 nationals (4,867 employed in the public sector, 15,669 employed in the private sector). Pakistani nationals come in the sixth place with 121,109 citizens (2,751 employed in public sector, 88,000 employees in the private sector, 2,695 domestic workers and 6,000 are holders of dependant visas). Sri Lankans are in seventh place with 106,684 nationals (566 employed in public sector and 85,616 nationals employed as domestic workers).