Kuwait’s New Bill: 8 Lakh Indians May Be Asked To Leave?

The Covid-19 has drastically hit every industry and almost all the nations were largely affected. With this, several countries are imposing strict rules on the work visas. After the US suspended skilled non-immigrant visas suchs as H-1B, now it is the turn of Kuwait to pass Expat Quota Bill. If this new expat bill is enforced, as many as 7 to 8 lakh Indians in Kuwait may be asked to leave the Gulf country. Covid-19 and the huge slump in oil prices could have forced the country to impose restrictions on foreign workers.

The Expat Quota Bill says that the population of foreign nationals should not exceed 15 percent. As per this, Indians should not exceed 15 percent of the population. The draft expat bill has been approved by Kuwait’s national Assembly. Now, the bill will be transferred to the concerned committee to create a comprehensive plan. The Legal and Legislative Committee of Kuwait is sure that the bill is constitutional and legal.

Of the 4.3 million population of Kuwait, the total expats account for 3 million. And Indians alone account for 1.45 million as Indians are the largest expat community in Kuwait. Egyptians follow Indians. Egyptians are the second largest expatriate community in Kuwait with 10 percent of Kuwait’s population.

With its own citizens turning into minorities, Kuwait has been working to reduce its dependence on foreign workers. The Expat-majority nation is now working to reduce the expats in its nation. This may cost high to Indians working in Kuwait.