Kuwait: A decision has been made by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah to assign Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah to apply the law regarding organizing the demographics of the state. “The appointment comes because the minister is responsible for iqama affairs along with the Public Authority of Manpower, which grants permits to residents. The minister has vowed to prioritize population demographic issues according to the government agenda and take practical steps in reducing the numbers of unskilled expats,” sources told Kuwait Times.

“The interior minister has given instructions to security departments at the interior ministry on this issue, as he requested to increase inspection campaigns in areas that are predominantly expat-populated in order to detain iqama violators, as well as catch those who obtained permits against the regulations, as the law will be sent to the National Assembly, which will play an active role in the process,” sources said.

“The interior minister has stressed to PAM that permits should not be open to anyone except those who are needed. Many permits will not be renewed this year if the labor market does not require their jobs,” the sources said. “The minister has previously spoken to a number of MPs about the iqamas of expatriates and clarified that the government will work on imposing fees on businessmen who bring in workers. The fees will be studied in order to ensure they are legal and constitutional,” the sources added.