Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced a significant move aimed at reducing the number of expatriates in government positions. As of Thursday, the ministry will completely halt the appointment of expatriates across all government roles. This includes positions in affiliated authorities. This bold decision, made by Minister Khalifa Al-Ajeel, aims to prioritize the employment of Kuwaiti citizens in public sector jobs.
The decision is part of Kuwait’s broader strategy to nationalize the workforce. It aims to reduce reliance on foreign labor in government institutions. The ministry’s decision exempts expatriates whose mothers are Kuwaiti citizens, allowing them to continue in their roles.
Kuwait’s campaign to reduce expatriate numbers in government jobs has faced challenges, particularly in sectors requiring highly-skilled workers. Despite efforts to hire more Kuwaitis, there remains a shortage of qualified local employees. Many are not capable of replacing expats in specialized roles. As of the most recent data, approximately 120,000 expatriates hold government jobs. This represents around 23 percent of all public sector positions in ministries and independent authorities. A large portion of these workers, over 55 percent, are employed in the health and education ministries. These sectors are especially difficult to staff with Kuwaiti workers due to the high skill levels required.
In line with these efforts, the Civil Service Commission has issued a directive that prohibits the renewal of contracts for expatriates in government positions after March 31. There are exceptions for those in highly specialized or rare fields. This could impact tens of thousands of foreign workers.
In addition to this decision, the Ministry of Justice has taken a controversial step. Foreign wives of Kuwaitis, who had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked, should be treated as Kuwaitis. This policy is part of a broader initiative started in May. It has already resulted in the revocation of citizenship for about 29,000 foreign wives of Kuwaiti men. A legal committee has been formed to review petitions from those affected by the revocation.
In a separate announcement, the Ministry of the Interior has banned the use of water guns and water balloons during Kuwait’s national celebrations. This is likely in an effort to maintain public order and safety during the festivities.
These developments reflect Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to prioritize nationalization in the workforce. They also address legal and social issues concerning citizenship and public celebrations.
