The Kuwait government has issued transfer of work permits for small and medium enterprises (SME’s) after one year of granting the work permit instead of three years, as travel restrictions are easing around the world and economies seem to be stabilizing, despite an increase in Covid cases in many countries. The ministerial decree issued by Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, Minister of Trade and Industry, put this amendment into effect.
Despite the fact that it is a declaration, the modifications will not be implemented until the employer approves them. It will also follow the rules and regulations outlined in Ministerial Resolution No. 9 of 2016, which applies to the protocols of the employers of the small and medium enterprises.
Ever since the pandemic hit the country, there have been a total of more than 15 crore cases confirmed in Kuwait. However, offering work permits has played a vital role and the Covid-19 scenario has badly hit the labor market. In order to fight back, this decision has been taken after the safety protocols were in place to curb the virus spread.
The decision was to help the public or the nationals and it was done after a presentation by Ahmed Al-Mousa, Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower to the Minister of Trade and Industry.
The new restrictions will be in support of the people to have a safe working place which will include rules designed that will increase Kuwaiti workforce. The rules will disapprove the stay of expats who are ineligible to work. The changes will allow expats to stay in the borders if they have a valid reason and primarily vaccinated and it applies to temporary workers.
This change however makes the companies plan before uncertainties occur. The companies must make arrangements to fill the vacant positions in case they have expats working who are ineligible. They also must source new applicants from the local labor market. The locals of the country will get more opportunities ahead as the companies look for people from within the regions. There will be job opportunities for the nationals with regards to companies seeking employees who are Kuwaitis.