KUWAIT CITY, Dec 8: The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has announced the suspension of monthly national employment support for individuals whose names have been included in decisions to revoke their citizenship. This decision is based on information provided by the Central Agency for Illegal Residents.

Sources within the Authority clarified that the suspension is due to these individuals failing to meet a key condition for receiving support, which stipulates that beneficiaries must hold Kuwaiti nationality. The National Labor Affairs Sector has implemented this measure to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations.

The Authority also revealed that files of companies and private sector employers whose owners have had their citizenship revoked will be flagged with a special code, effectively preventing them from conducting any labor market-related activities. Expatriate workers registered under these flagged companies will be unable to renew work permits or transfer employment until the company owners resolve their status with the Central Agency for Illegal Residents.

Following this review, the Central Agency will issue directives on whether to lift the restrictions or allow companies to amend their status. The Manpower Authority will act accordingly to ensure the necessary procedures are carried out.

The Manpower Authority is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Interior to identify affected companies and take appropriate actions. The sources noted that one of the prerequisites for obtaining a commercial license is that the license holder must be a Kuwaiti citizen. The revocation of nationality invalidates this requirement, potentially rendering contractual agreements between these companies and their workers void.

The Authority has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the rights of workers impacted by these decisions. Under directives from First Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, measures are being taken to ensure affected workers receive their financial entitlements, including uninterrupted salary payments, full end-of-service benefits, and other rights stipulated under Law No. 6/2010 governing private sector employment.

Initial, unofficial estimates suggest that dozens of workers may be impacted by these changes. The Authority reaffirmed its dedication to resolving these cases in accordance with established legal frameworks, ensuring the preservation of workers' rights and the proper regulation of the labor market.