KUWAIT CITY, Nov 8: The Cabinet has reportedly instructed the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to restrict the granting of work permits to expatriates in the public and private sectors, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Ministerial sources say the Cabinet wants work permits for expatriates to be issued only in vital sectors. It has instructed ministries to limit activities that require a large number of expatriate laborers and instead engage in activities that could be carried out by citizens. It has also asked ministries to reduce the existing expatriate manpower in their respective organizations by replacing them with Kuwaitis. The government wants to maintain the demographic balance and at the same time, reduce the crime rate that has spiked due to an increase in marginal laborers, added sources.