It may surprise some to learn that Kuwaitis face a range of discriminations in their own country. These range from not being able to rent an apartment, hotel room to being discriminated against over jobs.

Kuwait is a great country. It benefits it's nationals and non-nationals arguably more than any other country on the globe. What other country has 70 percent of its population being foreigners? What other country hands out cash to its nationals for no reason? What other country hands out huge amounts of money to other nations when they need help? Kuwait is a great country there is no doubt about that. However there is a lack of laws that protect its citizens from discrimination. And that is something I find mind-boggling.

As a Kuwaiti citizen I have certain limitations placed on me. The first one and I believe this is the most important one, since it restricts a basic life necessity is that I cannot rent any apartment or even house I choose. That is due to various laws that put certain restrictions on landlords if they choose to rent to Kuwaitis. If it was a non-Kuwaiti they were renting to, they would not have those limits. Therefore the majority if not all landlords in Kuwait will not rent to Kuwaitis. A small amount of property owners will rent out to Kuwaitis only if they are married. That is due to their fear that single Kuwaitis will have parties all the time on their property. Some would also not rent out to single foreign individuals, due to the same party fear.

Another limitation on us is that hotels will not give Kuwaitis a room if they are single. If you are married you can get a room but only after providing your marriage certificate. This rule I do not understand what so ever. What purpose does this rule serve?

I sometimes like to change my environment and get away from my house. I don't necessarily want to travel outside of Kuwait. My need for a change would be satisfied if I get a hotel room for a couple of days. But due to the law prohibiting hotels from renting out to Kuwaitis, they are limited to hotels that have cameras in the corridors. Those cameras are monitored 24/7. And if a guest invites someone to the room that is of the opposite sex I will be asked to leave immediately. Again I ask what is the purpose of this limitation? Morality is instilled by parents and kids can engage in illicit activities without being inside a hotel room.

The private sector

Some private sector companies in Kuwait also discriminate against us in our own country. Due to the financial aid that citizens receive from the government, if they work in the private sector. Employers have been paying Kuwaitis less than foreigners doing the exact same job as they are. Their excuse is that a citizen will get paid more in total once you factor in the government aid. I'm sorry is that money coming from the employers own pocket? No. I'm sorry that non-nationals don't get the aid. But, how could you rationalize paying your employee less because his government provides them with such benefits? I am all for team spirit, and I do understand how the aid can cause resentment in the work place. However, it should be up to the citizen to accept a pay cut not up to the employer to decide.

Discrimination laws are implemented all over the world. We need them here to protect Kuwaitis for all the reasons mentioned above. We need a law that prohibits landlord from discriminating against us. The hotel law should be abolished. And finally there should be allow that forbid employers from paying Kuwaitis less, unless they agree to it. Like I said Kuwait is a great country. Let us make it greater by protecting its citizens and also non-citizens from discrimination here and let us not make pride stop us from admitting that there is a problem and deal with it head on.

By Dhari Al-Rashed