Kuwait has made a significant change to its residency system with the enactment of a new law designed to combat visa trading and enhance the rights of migrant workers. These reforms are part of a larger initiative to tackle the challenges within the labor market, simplify immigration procedures, and ensure fairer treatment of foreign workers. This new legislation represents a pivotal moment in Kuwait’s migration policy, emphasizing the protection of workers’ rights while addressing the illegal practices that have affected the system for years.
A notable feature of the new law is the provision allowing a 10-year residency for the children of Kuwaiti women. This important change responds to long-standing issues regarding the status of children born to Kuwaiti mothers and foreign fathers, providing them with a more stable future in the country. This policy shift is viewed as a move towards greater inclusivity, granting these children access to residency rights and privileges that had previously been contentious in Kuwaiti society.
Additionally, the law intensifies the fight against visa trading, a practice that has been a significant source of corruption and exploitation in the migrant labor sector. The new regulations impose harsher penalties on those involved in the illegal transfer of work visas, ensuring that employers and individuals who engage in such activities face serious repercussions. This initiative aims to enhance the working conditions for migrant workers and prevent the misuse of the visa system for profit.
The law has been praised as a substantial reform by human rights organizations and advocates for migrant workers in Kuwait. They believe that these changes will lead to a more just system, addressing exploitation issues and providing better protections for workers.
