KUWAIT: Minister
of State for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel yesterday said the recruitment of
foreign workers to the country is based on labor contracts and according to the
needs of the local market. "Figures circulated recently in the media about
the entry of large numbers of the Egyptian community monthly to the country are
incorrect," Aqeel told reporters at the headquarters of the General
Secretariat for Planning.

She stressed
statistics show the real monthly rate of entry of this community to Kuwait is
between 1,400 and 2,200 people per month in the private sector. Aqeel noted the
total work permits for Egyptian workers issued in 2018 amounted to 62,000,
while 23,000 were canceled in 2018, pointing out that Egyptians who entered the
government sector last year amounted to 577 workers, mostly teachers.

Regarding the
implantation of the new national labor percentages in the private sector, Aqeel
affirmed that the postponement of the application of the new decision was due
to technical reasons, and work is underway to reclassify work and amend
regulations in cooperation with the ministry of commerce and industry. Aqeel
stressed the readiness of the bodies affiliated to her ministry to achieve more
during the coming period, whether with regards to the General Secretariat of
the Supreme Council for Planning and Development or the General Authority for
Manpower and other bodies. - KUNA