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The problem of
demographic imbalance has become the talk of the hour with every change in the
ministerial or parliamentary formation in Kuwait. Until now there are only a
lot of media statements, but we have not seen an actual plan on how to resolve
this issue.
It is unfortunate
that when someone talks about the imbalance in demography, the quickest
solution that makes the headlines is to reduce the number of expatriates! I
personally feel that the imbalance in the population is not caused by
expatriates, but by granting Kuwaiti nationality to ineligible people. Isn't
this a security threat, and what are the criteria for eligibility?
I am certainly
not against naturalization of non-Kuwaitis, but only for those who have provided
great services to the country, especially Arab expats like teachers, for
example, and others who came to Kuwait in the early part of the last century
and made a real imprint on the emergence of the modern state. But when
citizenship - which is a sovereign right - becomes a political means of
satisfaction or punishment, this creates anger amongst some Kuwaitis.
Abdullah Al-Roumi
is a member of the National Assembly from the first district. He has strong
opinions against the naturalization of undeserving persons and has expressed a
lot of views against politicizing the subject of nationality. When statistics
mention a decline in the proportion of Kuwaitis compared to expatriates, the
solution does not necessarily mean the abolition of effective employment of
expats.
We need
comprehensive treatment based on two things - the naturalization issue and the
subject of the residencies and fictitious companies that traffic in human
beings. Because bringing in thousands of people for the purpose of making money
is a clear violation punishable by law. I think the solutions must not only
focus on the ratio of expats, because they did not come by themselves but
through visas. The companies that bring in large number of workers without real
work must be stopped and punished.
I think a real
treatment requires the removal of marginal employment and ending phantom
companies. The naturalization of bedoons must be part of the issue of
demographic imbalance and the government should be clear to those who conceal
their original citizenship and demand Kuwaiti nationality.
The fact is that
the problem of the imbalance in the demographic structure is an old one, but it
remained unresolved until it turned into a complicated and divisive topic. When
current statistics indicate low numbers of Kuwaitis versus expats, we need to
admit that this is a result of the absence of strategic plans in determining
the type of employment that is needed and those whom we don't want.
Many Gulf
countries are experiencing the same phenomenon in the composition of the
population, and perhaps the proportion of their citizens is lower than it is in
Kuwait, but with the presence of strategic plans, they have been able to avoid
the negative effects of this imbalance. I believe that the solution is simple
and linked to a clear vision, so we need a lot of work and fewer statements.
This imbalance has clear effects on the state and needs a serious ending.
Happy New Year.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
