Kuwait has introduced new measures to cut back its dependence on foreign labor from several African countries as part of a wider set of workforce reforms.
Under the new rules, stricter limits will be placed on work visas for domestic workers from certain African nations, especially in sectors where local workers are already available. Officials say the changes are meant to better balance the labor market, respond to demographic pressures, and strengthen national employment initiatives.
The move has drawn concern from labor-sending countries and human rights groups, who warn that tougher restrictions could impact thousands of workers who depend on jobs to support their families back home through remittances.
The Kuwaiti government says more details on how the policy will be implemented will be released in the coming weeks.
The restricted African countries are: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Togo, Malawi, Chad, Djibouti, Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, and Senegal (females only).
The approved African countries are: South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Senegal (males only).
