KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recently sealed several domestic worker recruitment offices for manipulating prices and failing to comply with the set pricing regulations. These offices now face penalties, including referral to the Public Prosecution and potential commercial closure.

According to sources, the ministry issued warnings to the office owners and summoned them for investigations regarding their price increases. If violations are confirmed, stricter penalties will be enforced. Additionally, the ministry found during inspections that some offices did not record labor delivery receipts, and these offices will be held accountable after the investigations are completed.

Over the previous period, the ministry has already shut down several offices for non-compliance with pricing regulations and for not providing electronic payment options, which is mandated by law. Earlier this year, the ministry amended Resolution No. 103 of 2022, setting recruitment prices at a maximum of 750 dinars for workers from Asian countries 575 dinars for African countries, and 350 dinars for a special passport. These amounts include travel costs and represent the maximum allowable recruitment fees.

Sources from the Public Authority for Manpower reported that 448 recruitment offices were registered with the authority by the end of August. Inspections led to suspending 12 offices for non-compliance, while 10 offices had their suspensions lifted after rectifying their violations. Furthermore, 4 office licenses were canceled, while 60 new licenses were issued last month. A total of 377 complaints were filed against recruitment offices during this period.