Kuwait will launch a crackdown this week on expatriates violating residency regulations, an interior ministry official said in statements published Wednesday, July 18.
"The interior ministry has issued instructions to all security departments to double their efforts and detain expats who fail to provide civil identification at road checkpoints," the official told Al-Siyassah newspaper.
Expatriates found to be overstaying their residence visas will be arrested and deported, he said. Under Kuwaiti law, all residents in the emirate are bound to carry civil identification cards with them at all times.
Kuwait said Monday it would introduce a three-month amnesty over the summer allowing expats working in the private sector to transfer their visa sponsorship free of charge.
Labor Minister Talal Al-Ayyar said the move would benefit thousands of expats who are violating Kuwait’s residence regulations by working for people other than their sponsors.
About 1.4 million foreigners live in Kuwait, which has a population of 2.2 million. Many of the foreigners work in menial jobs and as domestic helpers, often for people other than those listed as their sponsors. ― (AFP, Kuwait City)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
