POPULATION COMPOSITION SYNDROME

A few days ago, a member of the National Assembly raised a question to His Excellency the Minister of Interior concerning the accomplishments of the National Committee for Organizing the Population Structure, an intricate matter that necessitates an examination of the associated DNA. Resolving this issue can be simplified by considering some numerical data. The current population of foreign workers in the country stands at 2,470,866 individuals. A significant segment of this count comprises domestic workers, totaling 811,307 individuals. These domestic workers are not factored into the population structure assessment due to their essential role and increasing numbers, which are influenced by the rising number of marriages. It is anticipated that this figure will approach one million within a span of less than five years. Regarding the remaining workforce, there are 1,659,559 individuals, out of which 24% are employed in the government, totaling 398,294 individuals. A significant proportion of these workers serve as teachers, medical personnel, and technicians, whose roles are vital for the state. It is expected that this number will rise naturally, as the ongoing construction of new cities will demand educational institutions, clinics, and other services that cannot be readily fulfilled by Kuwaiti personnel in the foreseeable future. Hence, these individuals are also not taken into account in the calculation. Now, focusing on the population composition that is left, we have those employed in the private sector, amounting to 1,261,265 individuals. Let’s examine this group further. The number of sanitation workers is on the rise because of the expanding residential areas and other related developments. Additionally, the private healthcare sector is witnessing an increase in its workforce. This sector is flourishing due to the presence of hospitals offering comprehensive health insurance and quality care. Similarly, to the previous cases, these individuals are not included in the calculation due to the unique nature of their work. Furthermore, we have the private education sector, encompassing schools, universities, and institutes, which is experiencing notable growth. This sector holds significance for citizens and is backed by the internal scholarship program as well as parents’ preference for private schools to educate their children. Similarly, the banking, insurance, industrial, and contracting sectors are in a comparable state. Specifically, I am referring to the publicly listed companies, both large and medium-sized, that operate within the local market. This sector is highly regulated and carries considerable sensitivity as it directly relates to the welfare and interests of citizens. Now, what remains to be considered? Allow me to explain: It is the workforce engaged in the catering and retail sector, encompassing both large and small stores and outlets. The number of individuals in this sector increases alongside the growth of government projects, including those tied to small-scale initiatives supported by the government. At this point, an important question arises: What are the underlying issues in this scenario that the government can address? The answer is rather straightforward. As we have come to understand, there are approximately 150,000 individuals with residency violations who are still present in Kuwait. Additionally, there exists an issue of informal labor resulting from human trafficking, which is sustained by certain misguided citizens. These citizens establish companies and hire multiple workers but leave them in a vulnerable position, working for others, while receiving a monthly or annual payment upon renewing their residency status. Furthermore, there exists another practice referred to by some as the “sheep visa,” which is not a matter of jest but a genuine reality. Allow me to share a story that sheds light on this. One day, I posted a job advertisement seeking an Asian accountant, and I encountered an applicant whose qualifications appeared outstanding. Naturally, I intended to hire him. However, he insisted on not transferring his residency to my company. This left me perplexed, and I inquired as to why. He explained to me, “My visa is a ‘sheep visa’.” Frankly, I didn’t understand the meaning at first, but it eventually became apparent that he had arrived in Kuwait on a “shepherd visa,” such one is granted to individuals who work on farms and rear livestock. These visas cannot be transferred from one sponsor to another. He further revealed, “I purchased this residency and pay monthly amounts to the farm owner.” I expressed my apologies to him and conveyed my hope that his employer, who had compromised his ethical principles and facilitated his entry into Kuwait, would be held accountable by Allah. Certainly, the aforementioned individuals amount to over half a million, with their numbers consistently on the rise. Many among them possess valuable skills, including carpenters, blacksmiths, plumbers, construction workers, and others who are vital to the ongoing urban development. The progress of the state relies heavily on the hard work and dedication of these individuals. In my view, the solution lies in eradicating the practice of residency trading and implementing stringent controls on citizens involved in the trade of residencies and commercial licenses. Such measures would lead to organized market dynamics and create opportunities for Kuwaiti youth to participate in the contracting and services sector. Additionally, this would safeguard the rights of this workforce against exploitation by residency traders. This analysis of our population syndrome, akin to “DNA analysis,” underscores these conclusions. Allah willing, in the next article, we will delve into the topic of ” family visa.”

Stay safe.