MP urges decisive action against visa trading
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 28: MP Ahmed Larri has stressed on the need to address the issue of trading in visas and unskilled workers which come at the expense of personal and country’s interests and in violation of international agreements.
He called for strict application of the law so that existing workers are skilled and those who serve the interests of the country and its development “instead of workers who negatively affect the development plan, is a hurdle to the population structure and put pressure
on the vital services, traffic and hospitals.”
Larri also called on the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor to continue with her serious steps to correct the situation.
In a related issue, MP Abdullah AlTameemi has presented a draft proposal on how to reduce the size of expatriate workers particularly those who are unskilled. He suggested the following steps:
l Issuance of a strict and crystal clear decision by the Cabinet obligating all government and private establishments to comply with it.
l Stipulation of the percentage of expatriates, so that their total number does not exceed 50 percent of the number of the citizens.
l Specifying the percentage for big communities in the country by 100,000 people for every nationality. This clause should limit to only three nationalities maximum.
l Setting non-renewable residence permit for the average technicians with 7 years and for skilled technicians 10 years.
l The condition is not applicable for workers of rare specializations since they would be granted only 15 years residence permit on condition they train Kuwaitis in this specialization.
l Taking deterrent measures against the institutions and individuals who contribute to the spread of unskilled workers and violation of labor law. They should be fined between KD 15,000 and KD 100,000. This is in addition to other punitive measures.
l Limiting the issuance of business entry visas to business men, capital-owners and holders of doctorate degree certificates.
l Installation of eye-scanning security verification to prevent returning of anyone who use forged passport.
l Forming a consultative committee to set legal opinion for granting entry visas or residence permit for expatriates.
l Setting a timetable to implement this proposal immediately after its approval and obliging the government to execute it within six months.
On another issue, MP Khaled Al-Adwa has called on the authorities not to issue new licenses to companies or persons who were found guilty of smuggling spoiled foodstuffs and meat into the country.
In the same context, Al-Adwa has sub-