KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of State for Economic Affairs of Kuwait Mariam Al-Aqeel confirmed the 'Tamkeen' initiative is among steps the government is taking in its efforts to address the demographic imbalance in Kuwait, especially amid the challenges created due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Aqeel spoke during the signing of the Tamkeen initiative Thursday between the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development and the Public Authority for Manpower with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Development Organization in Kuwait.

Aqeel said the initiative contributes to strengthening the global position of Kuwait within the framework of Kuwait National Development Plan "New Kuwait 2035" by strengthening the national mechanisms for good governance of immigration and facilitating the workers for an improved employment experience. 'Tamkeen' means fair employment of workers, and enabling national labor recruitment agencies to update evidence-based policies and program national efforts aimed at improving institutional governance for expatriate workers, she added.

She indicated that initiative will address the weaknesses in the current system that were evident during COVID-19. Aqeel praised the partnership between the General Secretariat for Planning and Development and the Manpower Authority with the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Development Program in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Dr Khaled Al-Mahdi, said in a press statement on the sidelines of the signing that the Kuwaiti government has submitted an integrated project to the Human Resources Committee in the National Assembly to draw up a roadmap towards reforming labor market imbalances, whose effects will be reflected in modifying the demographic composition in the country.

The 'Tamkeen' initiative is a major part of the program and project set by the Kuwaiti government that consists of several stages, the most important is the existence of an international system that applies international conditions and standards to approve the recruitment of workers into the country via the smart system, he added.

Mahdi pointed out that this is the first initiative to introduce recruitment agencies and to apply to international standards before workers enter the country, in addition to their contribution to promoting fair employment in labor markets. He indicated that the initiative will have a significant impact on the country's reputation as one of the pillars of the development plan and will contribute in elevating Kuwait's status in international forums. - KUNA