Prudent planning for the advancement of any nation begins with selecting the elements that contribute to sustainable development, which are considered the cornerstone of social and economic stability. The shortage of labor and expertise forces the state to import workers, perhaps even granting them permanent residency, so they can work comfortably, achieve social stability and contribute to the national economy.
Kuwait relied on expatriate workers for a certain period to train citizens. However, this transformed from a temporary to permanent measure for several reasons like the reluctance of citizens to take some jobs despite the fact that they used to do such works. This situation led to numerous negative consequences in various sectors. Anyway, the state started implementing the policy of nationalizing jobs years ago, after a number of qualified citizens emerged to work in various sectors. Nonetheless, this is not enough, because many of the jobs that Kuwait needs are still being done by non-Kuwaitis. We have a wealth of qualified individuals among the Bedouns who have been living here and have been educated in Kuwaiti schools.
They are more deserving than others to fill these positions for several reasons, most importantly to provide social stability for this group. Undoubtedly, many Bedouns, including those whose citizenship was revoked, have the skills that Kuwait needs. It is essential to utilize these individuals as long as there is a plan to nationalize jobs in public institutions, especially since they have been living in Kuwait their entire lives, are familiar with the customs and traditions of the country, and spend their salaries within Kuwait. This helps prevent the outfl ow of national funds. Employing Bedouns will reduce the number of expatriate workers in government institutions, thus, helping to correct the demographic imbalance. It is imperative to take these factors into consideration in planning for the future, provided there is a genuine intention to implement fundamental reforms to address the plethora of problems plaguing Kuwait.
Otherwise, we will remain trapped in a vicious cycle. This step is even more significant as Kuwait is adopting a strategy to transform into a global financial and commercial hub, which necessitates more workforce from among those who have been living in Kuwait their entire lives. It must be acknowledged that the government took several humanitarian measures for individuals whose citizenship was revoked, such as continuing to pay the salaries of those who were employed and treating them like Kuwaiti citizens in terms of education, healthcare and other benefits. Undoubtedly, these measures alleviated the suffering of this segment of the population. On the other hand, everyone must recognize that there is a shortage of manpower in fields that the country needs, while many young Bedouns are looking for jobs or ways to make a living. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) is responsible for providing training in many professions.
Why does PAAET not train the Bedoun youths to work in institutions and ministries, instead of bringing in foreign workers? Every year, many expatriates leave the labor market, particularly from the public sector, while the country needs replacements to fill the resulting vacancies. Therefore, it is important to utilize Bedouns and those with similar circumstances, as they are residents of Kuwait who have known no other homeland. Kuwait is a compassionate towards its citizens and residents, and it treats its inhabitants humanely. Many Bedouns are unemployed, which sometimes prompt some of them to commit crimes. They could be a valuable asset if they achieve social and financial stability. To conclude, allow the Bedouns to study at PAAET institutes, since they are not permitted to enroll in public universities.
