Bogus helpers’ office busted
Detectives received information about an unlicensed domestic helpers office run by an Ethiopian man. The man provided helpers on an hourly basis to citizens and expats, which is illegal according to Kuwait’s labor regulations. Furthermore, all the maids were either absconding or working for other sponsors. Residency detectives conducted a raid and all persons inside were arrested. Kuwait has seen an uptick in the establishment of unlicensed or ‘fake’ offices hiring out domestic helpers as the costs of recruiting domestic helpers from abroad has risen drastically.
Cable theft gang arrested
Residency detectives arrested members of a gang involved in the theft of electricity cables belonging to the Ministry of Electricity and Water. Detectives uncovered a gang consisting of a number of Bangladeshi nationals, who were involved in stealing the cables, so a team was formed and the suspects were arrested following an investigation. Authorities found more than 1,000 kilograms of copper, and tools used in cutting the cables. The suspects confessed to the thefts. Moreover it was discovered that none of them worked for their ‘sponsors’ but instead paid black market sponsors for their visas.
Municipality inspection campaigns
Kuwait Municipality continued its food inspection campaigns targeting baqalas, restaurants, co-ops and grocery stores. The Public Relations Department said Mubarak Al-Kabeer Municipality branch carried out an inspection campaign on a factory west of Abu Fateera area resulting in issuing one citation for a violation that involved an employee working before obtaining a health license and not complying with cleanliness rules. The department asked people to call the hotline (1844448) in case any complaint at any time.