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Kuwaiti companies can no longer hold Expatriates passport

Submitted by DA on Wednesday, 25 July 20076 Comments

According to Arab Times..

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah has issued a decision banning private companies from keeping the passports of their employees, say sources. A reliable source said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid’s decision is aimed at solving the shortcomings of the existing Private Sector Labor Law and answering the points raised by the US State Department, which has included Kuwait in the list of countries which are involved in human trafficking. According to the minister’s decision the Labor Departments will have the authority to take necessary action against any employer who violates the law, he added.

Finally we see light at the end of the tunnel. This practice has been the most baffling for expatriates especially lower to middle income earners in Private companies. I have personally worked in other countries, and all you had to do was obtain valid work permit or work visa stamp on your passport and continue working. I always had my passport with me. The real cruncher of this practice has been withholding of passports for most irrelevant reasons by employers, and there by blocking the worker from traveling. I have heard of many horror stories where workers would have to pay money to get their passports for traveling. Hopefully, the ministry will make inter-company transfers procedure easy. Atleast one step forward has been taken.

6 Comments »

  • Blue dress said:

    Nice… That means the eQama next.

  • mentabolism said:

    Somebody stoppp meee!!!
    So whos going to stop the employer…

  • Escargot said:

    I always thought the employer couldn’t hold your passport-so what is the big change?

  • Hilal said:

    Encouraging decision. The question is about effective and early implementation of the law. Expts & our embassy should c & help expats to have their passport with them.

  • Rajesh said:

    I am an IT professional and have been invited to Kuwait for services by an IT company. Among other things I have been told that my passport cannot be kept by me and shall be kept by some other person. It will be given to me whenever I demand it. Thats the rule over there.
    Is that correct?

  • sadara said:

    after this rule my employer made document which saying your passport is with our bullshit company and it is protected.i must to sign there.so i didnot it.Also we didnot received yet our passport.
    pls do immediate inspection a like baladiya with out concidering wastaas.
    thanks to us state department and not esially not bended autorities in kuwait

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