THE saying "Back to square one" applies to the series of “residency law violators” that continues to dominate the headlines almost everyday, such that it has become the main concern of security services and the labor force, making it seem as if all solutions have disappeared.
While most countries worldwide managed to solve this problem decades ago and have in fact benefited from migrant workers to enhance their national product and push forward their economies, Kuwait is still stuck in the same place.
For example, a few years ago, daily wages for workers ranged between KD 5 and KD 7, while the wages for craftsmen ranged from KD 12 to KD 15. This played a crucial role in stimulating the construction sector, which is important for driving other sectors and boosting social and economic stability.
However, after ill-considered campaigns were held against violators, wages shot up such that they now range between KD 18 and KD 22 for a daily worker, and between KD 45 and KD 55 for a craftsman.
Thus, the purchasing power was higher in the past compared to today. This has negatively impacted the national GDP by increasing costs and driving up prices.
Studies have recorded a contraction in the local economy last year, indicating a decline in projects and activities that are crucial for economic stability. This is all because of the sponsorship system - a system that only Kuwait continues to implement due to the power of influential human traffickers in state institutions.
Corrupt individuals have exploited this to profit from selling residencies, amassing illicit fortunes at the expense of workers. Is it reasonable that renewing a domestic worker's residency costs KD 250 annually, without securing a job or a place of residence for them? They are just released into the street to find a source of livelihood, even if it is by robbing, trafficking or prostitution?
Is it reasonable that officials make deals with human traffickers, incite inspection campaigns to deport these oppressed individuals, and then bring in others, causing the price of a work visa to rise between KD 900 and KD 1,200? How will the one who paid this amount before arriving in the country manage to recover it if they do not secure a job opportunity?
There is a saying - Tell a wise person something unreasonable. If he believes it, he has no mind.
Based on this, we say that there can be no solution to this ongoing crisis, unless the state is the sponsor, and the sponsorship system is completely abolished, as is the case in neighboring Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as in most countries worldwide.
If a visitor obtains a visa, and finds work, he is granted residency, but he leaves after the expiry of the visa period.
We recognize that His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defense Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef possesses considerable wisdom, humanity, and logic.
Therefore, we say to him, "Encouraging investment and urban renaissance in the country. All projects cannot be achieved with slogans, but by working according to what is practiced in neighboring countries."
In this regard, we have a real example. Kuwait's national product last year reached USD 161 billion, while that of the UAE had reached USD 504 billion. Despite the fact that the sister country has about nine million residents, these people did not affect the 1.6 million Emirati citizens and did not take their rights from them. Everyone works to serve the country.
This message is also directed at the Council of Ministers, urging them to work towards abolishing the sponsorship system – a system often viewed as a stigma. Instead, the state should assume the role of sponsor, implementing a visit system for individuals coming for tourism, visits, or work. This change would add significant value to the national product.
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
