Kuwait has taken a substantial stride in its commitment to give priority to its own citizens in government employment. It has recently unveiled a new draft law regarding the same. Kuwait National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun presented this legislation with the intent of halting the appointment of expatriates to governmental positions. So here are the details regarding the new law.
Key Provisions Of The Draft Law For Kuwait Nationals & Expats
The draft law’s Article 2 lays down a clear directive: “Public jobs are restricted only to nationals,” unless there are no qualified Kuwaiti candidates available for a specific role. This legal framework sets stringent limits on expatriate salaries and benefits. It also ensures they do not exceed the compensation provided to their local counterparts in equivalent positions.
One noteworthy provision within the bill is the complete prohibition of the hiring of non-Kuwaiti personnel through recruitment agencies. This measure is aimed at simplifying the recruitment process and enhancing transparency. Addressing concerns of underrepresentation among national job seekers, the draft law mandates that government entities advertise job openings on their websites. The Civil Service Commission website will display all these job openings. Two widely-read Arabic-language newspapers will also print them. Only if no qualified Kuwaiti candidates come forward can authorities consider expatriates for these positions.
Employment Contracts, Allowances & Applicability To Existing Expat Employees: The proposed legislation dictates that employment contracts for expatriate workers should have a one-year duration. It comes with the possibility of renewal contingent upon a re-evaluation of the position’s suitability for Kuwaiti citizens. These contracts would also exclude any form of additional allowances for expatriate workers. It’s important to know that this law also applies to expatriate workers who are already working in Kuwait once their current work agreements end.
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National Security & Employment Opportunities
In the explanatory statement accompanying the draft law, Speaker Al-Saadoun underscored the significance of national security and employment prospects for Kuwaiti citizens. He emphasized that while multiple draft laws have advocated for the prioritisation of nationals in governmental roles, the ongoing appointment of expatriates, particularly in sensitive positions, poses threats to national security and heightens unemployment among Kuwaiti citizens.
This new draft legislation marks a substantial stride by Kuwait towards favouring its own citizens for governmental roles.
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