Kuwait's only female MP Safaa al-Hashem is known for her anti-migrant stance- AFP

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 24: The Interior and Defense Affairs Committee at the National Assembly has approved the proposal of MP Safa Al-Hashim on obliging contractors to deport expatriate workers once their projects are completed.After studying the proposal, the committee took into consideration its importance as it contributes to ongoing efforts to address the lopsided population structure issue.However, the committee found that items three, four and five entail increasing the financial burdens of sponsors; in addition to putting the maximum 10-year stay that may lead to shortage of some jobs required in the labor market.Therefore, the committee endorsed only items one and two of the proposal, Committee Rapporteur MP Nayef Al-Mirdas explained.After discussion and exchange of views, the committee decided to approve the proposal with the following stipulations:■ Obliging contractors to deport workers once their projects are completed.■ Activating the e-government system in estimating the actual manpower need of companies for the implementation of projects and to stop random estimates.In addition, the committee also approved the proposal of MP Mohammed Al-Huwailah to establish military cities in the northern and southern parts of the country. He said these cities must include all the necessary facilities like water, electricity, modern means of communication, schools, kindergartens, commercial markets, stadiums, clubs, sports and cultural community halls.Al-Mirdas stressed this is one of the most important proposals due to the vital role that the military plays in protecting the homeland. He argued the establishment of military cities will help the military personnel perform their duties well.He clarified the military cities are basically military bases, but there are additional facilities like independent housing, sports clubs, markets, educational and health services, etc, for the families of military personnel to be with them.On the other hand, the committee rejected the proposal submitted by Al-Huwailah on using helicopters to monitor the traffic situation, guide traffic patrols, inform the public on radio and television to avoid traffic jams, accidents and road maintenance, provide them with information on road networks and guide them to follow the easiest routes to various locations.Meanwhile, MP Sadoun Hammad Al-Otaibi has proposed amendment of the second paragraph of Article Eight of Nationality Law number 15/1959 in order to grant citizenship to the widow of a Kuwaiti if they have children.The amendment states that, “If marriage ends with the death of the Kuwaiti husband and if the foreign woman has children with her husband and maintained her legal and regular residence in Kuwait for at least five years from the date of marriage, she shall be granted Kuwaiti nationality through a decree based on the offer of the Minister of Interior even if she did not express her desire to acquire this nationality before the death of her husband.”By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff