Dear government, trust in Allah and tether the camel … Kuwait is still blocked

Arab Times

12-05-2025

'LAISSEZ-FAIRE et laissez-passer' (Let do and let pass) is a principle that France adopted in the second half of the 18th century. At the time, France was experiencing a major economic crisis, so the then Minister of Finance agreed with merchants not to interfere with the activities, properties or goods of the people.
In less than three years, France became a major economic power in Europe. This introduction is necessary to shed light on the decisions made in Kuwait over the past 15 years, which led to economic contraction and a decline in the gross domestic product (GDP). Behind these decisions were officials who were either incompetent or sought to quickly enrich themselves, even at the expense of the greater national interest. Before this, Kuwait was closer to the principle of 'laissez-faire'; enjoying commercial, urban and social stability.
With the rise of the visa and human trafficking frenzy, we began to notice the issuance of decisions and legislation that paralyzed economic activity, including the prosecution of workers known as 'freelancers'. Civilized countries, including some Gulf states, have taken steps to ensure that the government sponsors the workers. This opened doors to millions of workers from around the world and they allowed non-citizens to own properties. What was the result? For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first to allow this, which boosted its GDP, reaching AED 1.322 trillion at the end of last year; while Kuwait recorded a GDP of KD9.73 billion in the same year -- a decline of 3.9 percent.
Saudi Arabia, which opened up to the world in recent years, has allowed foreign investment and granted real estate ownership rights to non-Saudis, significantly boosting its GDP; while Kuwait is still struggling to overcome its economic downturn, lacking modern legislative tools.
Nevertheless, I would like to thank Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah for the relentless efforts he exerted in this regard and for ratifying the new Foreigners Residency Law. Unfortunately, until today, no executive regulations have been issued for this law, meaning we remain in limbo while the old law is still in effect. When unfair decisions were made against Kuwaitis and expatriates, particularly regarding the deportation campaigns, the workers' wages rose from KD5 to KD20, and the wage of a professional worker increased up to KD50 or KD60. This increased the cost of construction and all services; hence, the citizens and government were the worst hit by such decisions.
Today, whoever wishes to visit Kuwait is still required to hold a university degree, book a flight ticket through a domestic airline, and ensure their stay does not exceed one month. Let us assume the visitor came to Kuwait in search of an investment opportunity or at the request of a company to benefit from his expertise, despite his lack of a university degree, as we mentioned earlier.
Does this justify denying him entry to Kuwait and causing the company to lose his expertise? In such a situation, we must not forget the crises that resulted from the decision not to renew the work permits of expatriate workers aged above 60 and the accompanying extensive deportation campaigns. One of the negative consequences of the decision was that 65,000 apartments became empty due to the departure of tens of thousands of expatriates who were welcomed by other Gulf countries that are now benefiting from them. It is unwise to interfere in the relationship between the employee and the company, and oblige the latter to require higher qualifications for positions.
The employment relationship is confidential, established through the contract signed by the employee and the employer. The State has nothing to do with it, except in terms of protecting the workers' rights. Yes, the acting Prime Minister is trying to address this issue, but one hand cannot clap. Why are expatriates not allowed to own properties and bring their family and relatives to stay with them in Kuwait, as long as they have the financial capability to support them? Why does the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) interfere in the relationship between the employee and the employer? If the goal is to promote economic activities and social stability, why don't we adopt the measures taken by other Gulf states -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE? What prevents Kuwait from restoring the leading position it once occupied? Gentlemen, through the adoption of the 'laissez-faire' principle then, Kuwait transformed into a vibrant business hub and it enjoyed stability. What prevents the return to that prosperous era, unless there are still visa and human traffickers who insist on putting a stick on the wheel of development?