Decision on allowing expatriates to transfer will halt visa trading’
Posted on 8/11/2009


MP Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash has commended the decision of Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi to allow expatriate workers to transfer their residence permits to another sponsor without approval of the current sponsors. According to the decision, all expatriates, on Article visa 18 — hired from abroad can transfer their residence without the consent of their current sponsors after staying three years with them. This rule doesn’t apply to expatriates hired locally as they can already make transfers after one year. It also does not apply to expatriates hired for government projects. According to the current rules, expatriates on government projects can only transfer after five years except for university degree holders who can transfer after three years. Stating this is a major step towards the elimination of visa trading in the country, Al-Harbash pointed out the decision is a clear manifestation of the minister’s commitment to implement genuine reforms and combat corruption. He also stressed the need to take such courageous steps in the near future to crack down on visa traders.

“This step will improve Kuwait’s image in the international community and dispel allegations on its involvement in human trafficking brought about by the illegal acts of some commercial and service companies,” Al-Harbash opined. He went on to say these companies have exploited contracts with the government to recruit a large numbers of expatriate workers, who were later forced to settle for a low salary to avoid deportation.
“Some employers have been imposing inhumane conditions on expatriate workers. With this decision, sponsors will now be compelled to pay the salaries of their employees as stipulated in the contract, otherwise, the workers can easily look for better job opportunities elsewhere,” Al-Harbash added.
Al-Harbash also urged HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the ministers to support “developmental and pro-reform steps” and “stand firm against those who thwart such steps”.

Agencies add:
Acting Parliament Speaker Abdullah Al-Roumi has stressed the need to support the Audit Bureau as it is keen on following the right procedures. Asserting the bureau has not committed any mistake, Al-Roumi stressed it is improper to voice concerns over alleged violations through the media, considering the bureau is a monitoring authority that helps the Parliament deal with many cases. He lamented some classified information had leaked out of the bureau due to some mistakes, but it is still wise to support the bureau’s efforts to rectify flaws.

Commenting on the current status of the local sports sector, Al-Roumi said “there is a government within the incumbent government. The International Olympics Committee (IOC) and FIFA should not impose sanctions on Kuwait, since it is a democratic country.” He asked members of the ruling family to refrain from using some MPs and the media to serve their personal interests. Al-Roumi also expressed his disappointment over the government’s failure to address the problems of Bedouns, who have been deprived of their basic rights, such as the right to obtain birth certificates