KUWAIT: State Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel said 20,000 expat residency permits were cancelled during the past three years due to linking workers' residency permits, education level and work permits. Aqeel also said the Public Authority for Manpower recovered KD 123,573 for employers who submitted complaints at the domestic help department against domestic help supply offices and companies. She added 194 female inmates out of 500 at the expat shelter have been deported. Aqeel said solutions are being sought to resolve the issue of absconding laborers by granting them a three-month grace period to amend their status, besides increasing absconding fines, in addition to punishing those who employ absconders. - Al-Rai