KUWAIT CITY, June 18: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has referred 45 companies to the General Immigration Department for Investigation affiliated to the Interior Ministry for trading in residence permits, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting reliable sources.
The sources pointed out 18 of these companies sponsor nearly 195 workers, and 27 fake companies sponsor 207 workers.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said the total number of work permits issued during 2011 was 137,842, an increase of more than 42,000 compared to 2010.
It has also been reported that 78,025 permits were issued for persons working on government projects.
The daily also said more than 14,000 visit visas were transformed into work permits in 2011.

Syrians  nabbed: The Far-waniya police have arrested three Syrians for consuming alcohol. One of them was reportedly wanted by law in connection with a financial fraud, reports Al-Shahed daily.
According to security sources the suspects were in a Jeep and the man behind the wheel was ordered to pull over for reckless driving in front of the Al-Tadamun Sports Club.
When an officer was checking their IDs and the driver’s licence and car registration, he got the smell of alcohol.
The man who is wanted by law has reportedly failed to pay debt worth KD 78,000 to a local bank. Police also recovered a bottle of locally manufactured alcohol from the Jeep.