Proposals due on 60s
A solution to the problem of expatriates who are 60 years and above is expected to be announced soon, reports Al-Rai daily.
The expatriates who are above 60 and do not hold graduation certificates are facing the prospect of being deported from the country because the government refuses to renew their work permits, but a government source indicated the Council of Ministers is awaiting a proposal to be submitted by the Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah AlSalman, who is also chairman of the board of directors of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).
While the source confirmed “it is illogical to force the expatriates to leave after spending all these years of long service in the country,” other sources stressed said “the goal now is not to burden the state with the cost of their continued stay in Kuwait in terms of medical services because the health sector is already suffering from pressure from citizens and residents, not to mention the increasing burden caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sources explained that “from here, the solution lies not in imposing incapacitating fees on this segment of expatriates as much as in providing health insurance to relieve the state of this burden if they need medical care,” noting that “one of the scenarios put forward is linking health insurance to this segment for the period of stay, provided that it is real and comprehensive health insurance.”
Meanwhile, PAM said 35 employees working in the authority have been referred to the Legal Affairs Department for passing illegal transactions for people who are above 60 holding high school diploma and below.
The sources revealed the automated information system of PAM revealed work permits were issued for this category of people in a fraudulent manner.
According to sources, 4 expatriates obtained work permits for 3 years, while 27 obtained work permits for two years and 126 who were issued work permits for one year.
The ‘automated system’ automatically refused to renewed work permits of expatriates who have reached 60 years and above since Jan 1, 2021,
According to statements, a copy of which has been obtained by the daily, some of the transactions were for expatriates who are between the ages of 80 and 90, and allegedly hold ‘intermediate’ certificates.