Kuwait Set to End Employment of Foreign Workers with Degrees in Municipal Jobs

Kuwait is poised to end the employment of expatriates with university degrees who are currently working in municipal roles, according to local media reports.

In a move aimed at boosting job opportunities for Kuwaiti citizens, Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Noura Al Mashaan has ordered the termination of all expat employees with university degrees from the municipality's executive bodies and legal advisers at affiliated directorates, as reported by Al Rai newspaper.

The directive, which includes foreign workers with degrees in fields such as law, engineering and accounting, mandates their removal from administrative positions.

A ministerial decree is expected within three days to formalise the termination of expat legal advisers, the newspaper added.Al Mashaan stated that this decision is driven by the availability of qualified national candidates who can effectively perform these roles.

The exact number of affected expatriates has not yet been disclosed.Recently, Kuwait has increased efforts to create job opportunities for its citizens, reduce reliance on foreign workers and address demographic imbalances.

Earlier this year, it was reported that 1,211 positions in Kuwait's oil sector are set to be filled by Kuwaitis in 2024 under the “Kuwaitisation” policy. This initiative targets roles within the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries.

With a public sector workforce of approximately 483,200, Kuwait has the highest proportion of foreign workers among Gulf Cooperation Council countries, at 23%. The expatriate population in Kuwait stands at about 3.3 million out of a total population of 4.8 million.

Kuwait has recently intensified measures against illegal foreign residents and has warned that anyone who harbours an undocumented immigrant will also face deportation.

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