25/10/2026
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25/10/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 25: Kuwait must ensure that all workers receive their salaries on time, regardless of nationality, Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef has stressed during his recent press conference, warning employers that delayed wages can trigger labour strikes and damage the country’s international reputation.
Addressing an economic figure during a discussion on workers’ rights, the minister questioned one of Kuwait's prominent businessmen & news media journalist the practice of prioritising Kuwaiti employees while delaying payments to expatriate workers, emphasising that fairness and compassion must extend to everyone.
“You cannot simply say that you have taken care of Kuwaiti employees and therefore it is acceptable to delay payments to expat employees,” he said, questioning why compassion should be reserved exclusively for Kuwaitis.
“Every human being working for you, regardless of nationality, deserves to be treated fairly,” he stressed, adding that employers would be held accountable by God Almighty for their responsibilities.
The minister said the law and regulations must be enforced to ensure that workers receive their wages. Referring to his two and a half years as Interior Minister, he asked about the incidence of labour strikes during that period and pointed out that unpaid wages were a major reason workers resorted to protests.
He said he personally contacted employers to verify whether salaries were being paid, rather than relying solely on the Public Authority for Manpower or other government bodies.
“People must be paid their salaries,” he said, addressing the economic figure and noting that prominent business leaders should set an example in fulfilling their obligations towards employees.
The minister also warned that human trafficking, money laundering and the failure to pay wages could harm Kuwait’s international standing. He questioned why the country should allow such practices to undermine its reputation when employers and authorities could take steps to address them.
Turning to the economic pressures facing expatriate workers, he pointed to rising food prices and the increasing cost of living, noting that expatriate salaries had not increased correspondingly.
“Everything has become more expensive, but expatriates’ salaries have not increased. How are they supposed to survive? Where is your compassion?” he asked.
The minister emphasised that compassion should not be limited to Kuwaiti citizens or any particular nationality, but should extend to all workers contributing to the country’s economy.
He urged employers to pay salaries promptly and avoid allowing disputes to escalate into public protests.
“Pay the salaries!” he said, warning against a situation in which workers are driven to take to the streets because their wages have not been paid.
He added that he did not want employers to reach a point where frustrated workers publicly denounced them, underscoring the importance of timely wage payments, fair treatment and compliance with labour regulations.