KUWAIT CITY, July 3: The Residency Affairs Investigation General Department at the Interior Ministry is currently conducting a massive security campaign in various parts of the country to arrest Residency Law violators. On its official ‘X’ account, the ministry affirmed on Wednesday that as part of the intensified security efforts to arrest violators who did not take advantage of the grace period granted to them to either leave the country or legalize their status, the department carried out a security inspection campaign throughout the country. The campaign resulted in the arrest of a number of violators who were referred to the competent authority to take the necessary legal measures including deportation.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations and Security Media General Department confirmed that security campaigns are continuing all over the country, calling on everyone to cooperate with the securitymen and report violators and outlaws by calling the emergency phone number (112). On Tuesday, as authorities intensified their crackdown on residency law violators who missed the grace period to adjust their status or exit the country, numerous commercial, artisanal, and industrial shops across Kuwait faced worker shortages.

At some of these establishments, absenteeism was crystal clear, with most workers opting to stay home out of fear of being caught by the security authorities during a crackdown on the illegal residents. Al-Seyassah observed citizens documenting the sluggish activity in these shops through videos shared on social media. Areas such as Mutla’a, Shuwaikh, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Khaitan, and Farwaniya witnessed a near-absence of technicians, while workers (daily wage workers) who typically gather at roundabouts and street corners were absent. The prevailing sentiment among these workers was fear that they might be caught during the sudden inspection checks organized by the Ministry of Interior.

In response to the crackdown, some regular workers faked their absence saying they had either traveled or were on leave, while others were candid about their fear of the security campaigns due to expired or residency permits or of their illegal stay. Meanwhile, the sources reported that illegal workers in areas like Mutla’a have fled the area. This situation contributed to an increase in wages for legally employed workers in compliant companies. In places like Khaitan, workers who frequented roundabouts were conspicuously absent following the crackdown on law violators in Farwaniya, Fahaheel, and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. In the Jahra Governorate, illegal workers previously visible on the streets offering construction, cleaning, electrical, and plumbing services also vanished due to intensified security measures.

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff