Manama: Kuwait is to deport 192 foreigners who were detained for begging during the month of Ramadan.

The male and female beggars and hawkers were held in several parts of the Gulf state by inspectors from the social affairs and labour ministry who worked closely with the interior ministry, Kuwaiti daily Arab Times reported on Monday.

The inspection campaigns targeted markets and commercial complexes. "Those who were arrested include domestic, marginal workers, people who came to the country on visit visas and violators of residence law who did not carry any identification documents," said Jalal Al Kout, the coordinator of the inspection team at the social affairs and labour ministry.

"They have been referred to the police to prepare their deportation from the country." Legal action will be taken against the companies that sponsored the detainees in Kuwait.

Under the controversial sponsorship system followed in Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council states, foreigners need to be sponsored before they are allowed to stay in the country.

Begging has become a highly lucrative activity in Ramadan, the month during which Muslims devote more time and finances for their charitable work and spiritual activities.