No renewal of work and residency permits for expats aged 60 in Kuwait

Cairo: Kuwait will start implementing from January 1 a decision banning the renewal of work and residency permits for expatriates who reach the age of 60 as the country is seeking to redress a demographic imbalance.

The Public Authority of Manpower is working on a mechanism for those covered by the ban based on the expiry dates of their residency permits, Kuwait newspaper Al Anba reported Saturday quoting an unnamed official at the state agency.

“The departure decision takes effect as of the start of the New Year. The Manpower Authority will not renew the work permit and consequently the work contract will end automatically,” the official added.

The deadline for those covered by the ban to leave Kuwait is set by the General Department of Residency Affairs from one to three months, according to the official.

In recent months, there have been increasing calls in Kuwait for curbing foreigners’ employment amid accusations that migrant workers have strained the country’s infrastructure facilities.