KUWAIT CITY, Nov 28: Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor will not issue new work permits until the country’s population structure has been amended because the welfare and security of Kuwait remain a priority, reports Al-Rai daily.

The daily quoting the Deputy Premier, Minister of Justice, Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammed Al-Afasi stressed that work permits will be issued for government contracts and exceptional cases, and added the local market comprises a million laborers. He also said the ministry will give the green light to transfer commercial visit visas to work permits in the coming months after the ministry has allotted new rules and regulations in that regard.

In the meantime, manipulations by visa traders will be strictly controlled under the new regulations, whereas specific categories of personnel will be exempted from suspension of work permits, as per the market needs.

He noted an estimated 15,000 expatriate personnel have entered the country this year with commercial visit visas that were later transferred to work permits based on manipulation by visa traders. For this reason, the ministry has temporarily suspended the transfer of commercial visit visa until appropriate regulations are set to avoid violations.