- PAM rules scrapped in reform blitz
- No one above law, says Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef
- Fake firms under fire
- Salaries must be paid on time
- Children under 18 allowed family residency
- Degree equivalency under study
- Unified standards for driver licenses
- Worker transfers between contracts proposed
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 17: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah revealed that he faced significant challenges due to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), and his first decision was to rescind existing regulations. Speaking at the first dialogue session titled “Success Partners” organized by PAM with representatives of private sector companies on Monday, Sheikh Fahad Al- Yousef said he considered himself “one of the people” and emphasized that all companies should have representation on PAM’s board of directors. He stressed that the fate of all companies should not be determined by the decisions of only six or seven individuals, adding that the country’s fate is everyone’s responsibility.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef highlighted the urgency of overhauling Kuwait’s labor laws to ensure it stays flexible and integrated with the country’s economic developments. He explained that some companies appoint a Kuwaiti citizen as the authorized signatory while an expatriate effectively manages the company. The Kuwaiti citizen is ultimately responsible and bears the same legal consequences.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef issued a stringent warning regarding circumventing labor market regulations and registering companies in the names of citizens, then leasing the license to foreigners. He cited a case where a Kuwaiti citizen, currently imprisoned, had established six companies generating KD 12,000 over two years, while expatriates laundered KD 100 million abroad.
“The political leadership is unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law,” Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef asserted, adding that citizens who circumvent regulations will face full legal accountability. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef highlighted the importance of timely payment of workers’ salaries, urging company owners to pay employees on time, even from their own pockets if necessary, to protect Kuwait’s reputation.
“We don’t want to see workers go on strike,” he said, noting that the workers are poor people who came to Kuwait to earn a living. He announced plans to introduce residency permits under the “freelance work” category, with fees ranging from KD 750 to 1,000 payable to the government. He described this step as part of efforts to combat the residency permit trade, adding that it will be finalized within two months.
“Reforming the labor market comes through regulating the corporate sector, supporting companies, listening to their proposals, and overcoming the obstacles they may face through the best possible means especially since companies represent the organizational and legal framework of the private sector, which will be heavily relied upon in Kuwait’s economy in the coming period,” Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef said. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef also addressed law enforcement and regulatory matters, noting that over 3,000 licenses had been revoked and 39,000 workers deported last year. He stressed that all nurseries and businesses must comply with regulations, citing the closure of nine unlicensed nurseries, one of which had witnessed the death of a child. On family and residency matters, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef announced that children under 18 will be allowed to join their families, while stressing that the decision does not apply to parents.
He also discussed plans to establish unified standards for driver’s licenses and family visit visas, ensuring fairness in educational qualifications and residency approvals. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef addressed money laundering and illegal labor practices, citing recent cases where Kuwaiti citizens and expatriates illegally transferred large sums abroad or engaged in unlicensed business activities. He described an investigation into a delivery app company illegally employing over 500 workers, evading recruitment fees, and disbursing salaries through a network of expatriate employees.
Those involved, including a prominent Kuwaiti citizen, have been apprehended, and legal action is underway following directives from His Highness the Amir. He stressed that no one is above the law, affirming that even the Amir’s own children would be held accountable for any violations. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef praised Engineer Rabab Al-Osaimi’s appointment as PAM Director, highlighting her accessibility and leadership. He noted that many entrepreneurial ideas in Kuwait are sold abroad at high prices and emphasized that the dialogue with business owners aims to facilitate procedures, implement requests, and strengthen the business community. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef concluded by affirming that Kuwait will regain its status as a model for other countries and praised the “Land of Goodness” operetta performed in celebration of the National Days.
Meanwhile, PAM Director Al-Osaimi confirmed that the labor law will be reviewed, all observations will be considered, and the professional guide for job titles is under examination. She said the inspection management plan is being continuously updated and noted that PAM processed 25 million transactions last year, of which 65 percent of the transactions (15 million) were processed through automated systems launched in 2018.
Al-Osaimi explained that PAM is working to introduce artificial intelligence systems on its website to assist employers and respond to their inquiries, contributing to facilitating procedures and accelerating transaction processing. It is also working on amending the labor law to keep pace with changes, enhance the efficiency of the legislative system, and develop the work environment. The next phase will include recognition and equivalency of university degrees and that a study is underway to allow the transfer of workers between contracts, regardless of the type of contract under which they were recruited. This measure will be announced once approved by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef
By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
