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After Saudi Ban on Use of the Word ‘Maids’ in Job Ads, Kuwait Follows Suit

After Saudi Ban on the Use of the Word ‘Maids’ in Adverts, Kuwait Follows Suit

The Middle East has seen important reforms concerning policies in dealing with domestic helpers. In Kuwait, the use of the word, ‘maid’ in advertisements and job postings is no longer allowed as per the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry explained that the purpose of this decision is to uphold the dignity of those expat workers, domestic workers, and the ones with similar status.

Kuwait Bans Use of ‘Maid’, ‘Servants’ in Hiring Adverts

The ministry also said that the use of phrases ‘to sell’, ‘to assign’, or ‘to buy’ will be replaced as ‘transfer of services’. Moreover, the word ‘maid’ or ‘servant’ will be replaced with ‘worker’, the Kuwait Times reported.

Another critical provision in the circular states that the use of personal data such as photos, residency, identity cards, and similar personal information about the worker is prohibited to be used in advertisements.

Earlier, Kuwait resumed the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers after it was put on a halt following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, earlier, also published a circular banning the use of some terms and words in job advertisements.

Similarly, it said that the words “maid” and “servant” are no longer allowed to be used for marketing and advertising purposes.

Another positive move brought about by this circular is that these workers will not bear any financial burdens “under any circumstances” due to any changes in paperwork.

The Middle East wherein both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia belong, is one of the most popular regions where foreign workers go for employment, especially for blue-collar jobs. However, employment rights and benefits is an area wherein several governments in the region can still improve on.

24 People Arrested for Gambling during Apartment Raid in Kuwait

Gambling is considered an illegal activity (especially in many Middle Eastern countries) so please be mindful of this fact. In a recent report, 24 people have been arrested involved in gambling and betting. Kuwait Police raided an apartment and caught the suspects.

Let us remind ourselves on why man expats chose to live and work overseas. While some laws may not sit well with us because we may have grown up under different laws based on our culture and history, it is still important that we respect the laws of the country where we are in. Whether we disagree or not, let us remind ourselves that this is our not our place to decide and we should obey these rules.

Below is the full report from the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait about this incident:

Kuwait Police Arrests 24 People for Gambling during Apartment Raid

The Department of Public Relations and Security Media at the Ministry of Interior has reported that within the efforts of the criminal security sector to combat outlaws, the General Department of Criminal Investigations has managed to catch 24 people red handed to gambling.

The administration explains that there was information that an apartment was found in an area of Al-Ahmadi governorate, which is administered to play gambling and betting through the internet, so a research team was formed and investigated. After confirming the correctness of the information, the legal permission was taken and raided the apartment was seized. 24 people red handed to play gambling, and upon enquiry, it was found that 10 of them were wanted, and an estimated amount of KD 3000 and gambling tools were seized.

They were therefore seized and referred with seizures to the competent authorities for necessary legal action against them.

– MOI Kuwait

Below are posts from the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait regarding the said report:

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Assembly Proposal to Limit Gov’t Hospital Services to Kuwaitis Only

Assembly Proposal to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Only at Gov’t Hospitals

In a controversial announcement, the Kuwaiti government has proposed to limit the medical services offered by government hospitals to Kuwaiti nationals only. However, the government clarified that this will not be implemented immediately in consideration of the large expat community in the country.

It can be recalled that government hospitals have started imposing higher fees to expats by as much as KD 10, according to the health ministry.

Kuwait Government Hospitals to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Soon

The Health Committee at the National Assembly brought up the issue and approved the proposal of limiting treatment in government-owned hospitals to Kuwaitis and Gulf Nationals only, as shared in a report by the Kuwait Times.

Of note, the proposal also focuses on the number of Kuwaitis compared to expats. Since Kuwaitis have a smaller number compared to expats, this means greater benefit to locals whom the government plans to improve their services for.

In a survey released in 2014, Kuwait is home to 2.4 million foreign nationals. Based on these figures, around 1.2 million expats are working in the private sector whereas over 99,000 are employed by the government.

Furthermore, there are more than 600,000 domestic helpers working in Kuwait, making it one of the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the loose alliance that comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Since 2014, government authorities have called for the deportation of 280,000 expats every year within the next five years to help provide a solution to the imbalanced demographic in the country.

However, in a recent survey released by InterNations, Kuwait was once again named as the ‘worst destination’ for expats citing reasons such as difficulty in making friends with the locals.

Kuwait has topped the said list for two consecutive years, and has also been dubbed the third-worst country in terms of the ‘health and well-being’ of expats and ‘sense of alienation and affection’.

Job satisfaction and economic situation are some of the issues encountered by expatriates in Kuwait. Other countries considered as ‘worst country of destination’ for expats are Italy, Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, India, United Kingdom, Greece, Russia, and South Korea.

Owing to these actions highlighted by the government in line with the nation’s drive to push for Kuwaitization until 2023, more expats are facing challenges in their stay in the country as well as in keeping their jobs in the long term.

ALSO READ: [Guide] Applying for a Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

Now, Residents Can Update Latin Names on Civil ID Cards Online – PACI

This year, the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait announced that it will no longer issue residency stickers on expat’s travel documents. Instead, this will be incorporated on their Civil IDs when they renew their residency status in the country.

However, when this update was implemented, there have been serious problems encountered by expats with their Civil ID card information, as this was filled with serious errors (i.e. spelling, wrong information), which were found to be mainly due to personnel handling, as per the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI).

Credits: PACI

PACI No Longer Offers Services to Change Latin Names on Civil IDs

Because of this phenomenon, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has directed the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) to stop offering services related to correcting the Latin names of residents, and designed this function to be done by residents online from now on, as shared in a report by the Arab Times Online.

However, the PACI also clarified that it will continue to offer electronic services for Latin names in terms of checking it before printing the civil ID card or after it has been corrected, but will not to make the corrections themselves, as done previously.

The update maintains that the correction of the names will now be done by the immigration departments (Computer Department) in every governorate. Furthermore, the PACI no longer receives requests for correction of names which is done through the automated system.

However, the ministry clarified that the PACI will still accept requests for services to correct an error in the civil card which has already been issued after cross checking with the document issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Since the implementation of Civil ID renewal services back in March, which aims to do away with the residence sticker on the passport, the number of transactions of this type has exceeded 250,000 at a rate of up to 20,000 IDs per day and the IDs were noted to be full of errors committed by the employees of the Interior Ministry.

There were even some residents who claimed that prior to their renewal of Civil IDs, the names on their documents were correct both in Arabic and English, but after the renewal they were shocked to find glaring mistakes and inaccurate details which forced them to visit the immigration departments again and submit requests for correction for which they had to wait in queue for hours.

Some of these residents pointed out that some departments had earlier managed to correct the name after a request was submitted without requiring them to wait for completion of transactions since this was done through SMS notification. However, this process was not standardized across all departments, which led to confusion and more issues in handling these transactions.

Meanwhile, those who wish to correct the names on their civil ID may file the changes through the PACI’s website.

ALSO READ: [LABOUR LAW GUIDE] Understanding the Probation Period in Kuwait

Malls to Visit in Kuwait

Who said that there aren’t any exciting places to visit or hang out in Kuwait? If one of your friends or family members did, they sure aren’t fans of shopping and nice malls!

ALSO READ: Celebrating Eid in Kuwait

Because in Kuwait, there are several exciting shopping malls you can go to for your weekend fun or for your retail therapy. The Middle East is actually famous for having some of the biggest and most luxurious shopping places as well as traditional public markets (souqs) where you can find a variety of traditional and modern products unique in the region.

Where to Go Shopping in Kuwait

Here are some of the top shopping malls in Kuwait:

Al Fanar Shopping Mall

This three-storey shopping complex near Salmia Al-Muharak Street in Salmia boasts of fine architecture – relaxing and refreshing, and just as interesting as the selections offered by some of the trendiest boutique shops including Gucci, Godiva, Claire’s, B&O, Marie Claire and River Island, MAC, and Tiffany, among others.

Google Location Map:

Al Hamra Tower Mall

Cruising in downtown Kuwait? Why don’t you cool down in this posh shopping spot located within a 1,353-ft high skyscraper, the Al-Hamra Tower. The 250,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail space is home to a number of high-end labels such as Hermes, Vera Wang, and the Versace Café, among others.

Google Location Map:

Kuwait Magic Mall

Located in the small town of Abu Halifa, nearby the sandy beaches of Fahaheel District, the Kuwait Magic Mall brings a modern touch to the area with a fusion of style and elegance through its wide array of dining, retail, as well as entertainment options for guests to enjoy.

Google Location Map:

The Avenues Mall

Arguably touted as one of the biggest malls, if not the biggest in the country, the Avenues is home to at least 850 stores and unique services spread out in seven districts, which attract a number of locals and tourists in the area. The mall, which has been divided in four phases, opened back in 2007, and had the latest improvements in 2018.

Google Location Map:

Al Muhallab Mall

Going to the mall can be an exciting experience in itself, especially if you’re going to one shaped liked the Titanic. The mall has everything shoppers may need, from quality retail products and exquisite dining options, to family-centred activities and exclusive fun events.

Google Location Map:

Gold Souk

Travellers visiting Kuwait for the first time should not miss out the chance to pay a visit at the Gold Souk where they can purchase high-quality and exquisite gold products which they can haggle for a good price. Other than gold crafts, visitors can also pick from a selection of other precious metals such as diamonds, platinum, and sometimes even silver.

Google Location Map:

Shopping in Kuwait is one of the most ideal experiences for those who intend to collect the finest and top of the line products for less (only because these items are all tax-free)!

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know when Visiting the Middle East

Terminating a Marriage Contract in Kuwait

For many imaginable reasons, married couples don’t always end up “happily ever after.” Sometimes they do, but it takes a lot of work… more than you can ever imagine. However, in the event that married individuals decide against keeping their vows legally binding, and in effect, they will have to refer to the law prior to ending things once and for all.

ALSO READ: [Guide] Applying for a Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

And since the law varies from one country to another, it pays for every citizen and foreign resident to understand what their country’s laws have to say about their circumstances. Do note, that in many other cases, individuals are fully aware about what the law maintains regarding certain types of union and marriages, by which they can use to their advantage as citizens of that state. And that’s an entirely different topic altogether.

Steps for Terminating a Marriage Contract in Kuwait

But for those living in the rather conservative Middle, East which includes countries such as Kuwait, residents will not only have to base their decisions and proceedings to the rule of the land, but also on religious laws observed in society.

And since Kuwait is an Islamic nation, terminating a marriage contract between a Kuwaiti and a non-Kuwaiti will have to be dealt with utmost care and planning to ensure that all angles have been fully considered.

It is for this reason that couples are advised to get legal counsel to assist them with this process, but once everything has been sorted out and agreed upon amicably, both parties will be required to prepare certain documents and carry out necessary steps to pursue the decision to terminate a marriage contract.

Requirements:

Civil ID or nationality of the Kuwaiti applicant
Civil ID or valid passport of the non-Kuwaiti resident applicant
For illegal residents: a letter from the Executive Committee as well as personal identification will be required of the applicant.
For widow applicants or those whose guardian is deceased: a document to support the determination of heirs will be required.
If the husband is a student, dealer, retired, or unemployed: a letter from the Public Institution for Social Security.
A certificate of divorce for the divorcee
If the husband is serving the military, a marriage permit from his superior must be presented.
A Special Power of Attorney

Procedures:

Visit the Authentication Office located at the Ahmadi Court Complex or Riggai Court Complex and submit all the applicable above-listed requirements.
Fill out the service application form, which will be provided on-site.
Pay the application service fee worth KD 7, as well as the fee for the visiting court representative (KD 6) and other fixed fees (KD 1).

As in any other place in the world, the process for terminating a marriage or filing for divorce can take up a significant amount of time to be accomplished, based on the surrounding circumstances leading to this purpose. If there is domestic violence and the children are involved, the judge will typically refer the case to professionals for counselling first. However, in the event that both parties refuse to seek counselling, both will be required to sign a document in order to bring the case to court, and only then will the legal proceedings begin.

ALSO READ: Celebrating Eid in Kuwait

[Guide] Applying for a Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

While it can be surmised that Kuwait’s government is generally iffy when it comes to accepting foreign entry in the country, there are designated visa types for those who have certain needs to visit the country.

ALSO READ: 5 Tips when Travelling to the Middle East during Ramadan

Those who intend to stay in the country either for work (business) or treatment of a health condition may apply for a temporary residence visa, which allows them to stay in Kuwait for up to a year only. There is also a variation of the temporary residence visa, which allows immediate family members of residents (father, mother, sisters, but not brothers) to stay for 2-3 months until they rectify their visa status in the country.

How to Apply: Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

This type of visa can also be availed by expats who have resigned from their jobs but need to stay in the country to settle financial issues or a legal case in court. Of note, this visa type gets revoked once the holder is permitted to leave the country on this document.

In this post, we will share details on what you need to secure or perform in order to obtain a temporary residence visa extension:

Requirements:

Original and photocopy of the applicant’s valid passport
The entry visa used by the applicant to get into the country
Two (2) recent ID photographs of the applicant
The original and photocopy of the signed letter of authorization from the sponsor
A photocopy of the sponsor’s Civil ID
A photocopy of the applicant’s work permit (issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour)
Health Insurance Certificate
A photocopy of the signed authorization issued by the applicant’s company or workplace (where applicable)

Procedure/s:

Visit the General Department of Immigration in your locale and provide the above-listed requirements.
Fill out the service application form provided on site. Be sure to fill this out completely.
Pay the fees for the service application (KD 2).

In order to apply for a temporary residence visa extension, be sure that your visa is not yet expired, otherwise you will be charged an overstaying fine (KD 10) by the day. Furthermore, fines cannot be settled at the airport. You must pay your fines at the Immigration Department of the Governorate you are assigned to.

Recently, the Kuwaiti government has imposed a health insurance requirement for those entering the country for medical purposes in order to curb the entry of beggars, especially in time for the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims all over the world practice charitable acts to help the poor and the needy. This is to ensure that the foreign population in the country remains under control and to thwart opportunities for syndicates to take advantage of the season of giving in Muslim countries such as Kuwait.

Disclaimer: The details presented in this article are for information-sharing only. For those who would like to know more about the process of filing visa applications, you may refer to the Kuwait Government’s Online Portal.

[LABOUR LAW GUIDE] Understanding the Probation Period in Kuwait

As most countries in the Middle East remain to be top work destinations for expats, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), it’s important that interested workers heading to those countries understand the kind of labour system that is being implemented in their host country.

ALSO READ: [Guide] Applying for a Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

Part of this system, as guided by international labour practices, is the probation period. Understanding what this means for you as an employee could help you maximize your experience at work and know the benefits (and restrictions) that come along with it, as well.

What You Need to Know About the Probation Period in Kuwait

Entering a contract with an employer provides the terms of employment for an employee. This includes undergoing a probation period.

What is the probation period?

Based on Article 32 of the Labour Code of Kuwait, an employee can be hired under probationary status for up to 100 days (maximum), and this has to be clearly specified in the employment contract.

The employment period is used by employers to assess an employee’s skills set and job fit when it comes to their actual job performance, but this can only be applied once for each of the employees.

Furthermore, contracts under the probationary status can be terminate without prior notice. In the event that a contract is terminated by the employer, the employee is entitled to receive their end of service benefit, which is proportionate to the period or duration of work rendered.

Are workers on probation entitled to overtime pay as well?

Yes, employees on probationary status are also entitled to receive overtime pay as do all employees in a company or an organization as per Kuwait Labour Laws. Any worker, regardless of their employment status, who is requested to work beyond eight (8) hours a day, as secured in a written contract, must be given an overtime pay according to the law.

The rate for overtime pay is an additional 25% based on the employee’s basic rate. Also, an employee cannot be required to work overtime beyond two hours a day, a maximum of 180 hours in a year, three days a week or 90 days per year.

Starting out at work can be exciting and nerve-wracking most of the time, but even before that, the preparation should also be as meticulous and well-planned out in order not to miss out on the important things to note, such as the probation period as implemented under your host country’s labour laws.

And also, as a general rule, all employment contracts must follow the prescribed format in compliance to Kuwait’s labour laws in order for it to be considered legal and binding. Should you have any questions about your contract, be sure to air your concerns to your employer or to the HR department officer in your company. You may also seek guidance from staff at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) for clarification regarding labour practices and laws.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is released for the purpose of information-sharing only. To know more about the technical provisions of your employment contract as well as the Kuwait Labour Law, you may visit the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) website for reference.

ALSO READ: Keeping an Employee’s Passport is Against the Law

Celebrating Eid in Kuwait

As Muslims all over the world are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan through prayers, fasting, and participating in charitable events across the city, it pays to take note of the upcoming holidays that are set to take place after this month.

ALSO READ: 5 Tips when Travelling to the Middle East during Ramadan

In Muslim countries such as Kuwait, Ramadan represents a time of solemn prayers and long fasts. It also gives Muslims time to be in thoughtful reflection of the teachings of the Q’uran. In short, Ramadan represents a time of penance and sacrifice, but in the Islamic calendar, not all events are as pensive and somber, as following the Ramadan is a time of celebration, also known as Eid, which represents such a time similar to the New Year of other nationalities.

What You Need to Know About Eid in Kuwait

But since the dates for the actual holidays in the Islamic calendar are based on lunar sightings and movements, Muslims and residents do away with waiting for official announcements made by relevant authorities in their host countries.

However, as Ramadan was marked on May 5 in Kuwait, it will last until June 4, which will then mark the beginning of the Eid or Eid Al-Fitr in the country.

What is Eid?

Following a whole month of religious prayer and fasting, Eid represents a time for Muslims all over the world to go without fasting, which also equates to lavish revelry and celebrations across the country.

Eid, as an important calendar date, also marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal, which is opened with a great feast to officially end the period of fasting observed during Ramadan.

As a public holiday in Muslim countries such as Kuwait, residents exchange greetings such as “Eid Mubarak,” which translates to “blessed celebration” during Eid Al-Fitr. For the citizens and residents, whether Muslim or not, this friendly greeting serves as a sign of unity and friendship, so it’s important to pick on this short phrase as a sign of respect and warm reception towards others in public.

What can you expect during Eid?

During this time, most Muslims would wake up early in the morning to offer prayers inside mosques. Many people then celebrate this time by shopping for beautiful clothing and joining public festivities and celebrations. Also, it’s customary for friends and family members to exchange gifts and greeting cards.

Aside from Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims also celebrate Eid Al-Adha, which officially begins a month after the former. This date falls in the middle of the twelfth and last month in the Islamic calendar.

The holiday was based on the event when Allah showed himself to Ibrahim in a dream and instructed him to offer up Ishmael, his son, as a sacrifice, and a way to prove his faith. The story is similar to Abaraham and Isaac’s in the Christian religion.

Furthermore, during this time, practicing Muslims sacrifice animals as part of their tradition with some variations in handling and practices, based on their country’s laws.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know when Visiting the Middle East

[Guide] How to Rent a Car in Kuwait

Getting around Kuwait isn’t difficult to do, even so when you have a car that you can drive at your own leisure and pace. And because public transportation is only limited to taxis and buses at the moment, getting a car is one of the most convenient things you can do, especially if you’re only staying for a couple of days to several weeks.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Know when Visiting the Middle East

And because there is a constant need for easy to access cars in the country, the government has made it easier for car rental companies to set up their offices in strategic locations, such as in hotels and at the Kuwait Airport.

What You Need to Know about Renting a Car in Kuwait

For those interested in getting a car to drive around the city, here are a couple of requirements that must be met by interested renters:

The individual renting a car must be at least 18 years of age.
The individual must also possess an international driving license (i.e. expats on visit visas)

Note: National driving licenses issued by a driver’s country of origin will not be accepted. And even if the person has an international driving license, they will still need to apply for a Kuwaiti driving license if they intend to stay in the country for a longer period of time.

Once you have secured the basic requirements to drive a car in the country, you may get in touch with the following car rental service providers in the country:

List of Car Rental Service Companies in Kuwait:

A1 Car Rental – 25649100
Al Abdel Ghafour – 22611675
Al Afraa Establishment – 226300333
Al Austad – 22669668
Al Maseela – 257200005
Al Motor – 25717171
Al Sukuk – 24316176
Algeeran – 22613123
Alkhaldeya – 22634347
AlZeer Car Rental – 22452655
Andalus – 24345692
Dana Centre – 24748104
Exotic Motors – 25326866
Formula Rent-a-Car – 22415551
Golden Sands – 26722926
Group Caron – 22611102
KGL – 22492147
Monte Carlo – 25711007
Prestige – 25645761
Rekab Rent-a-Car – 24821000
Special Car – 24739003
Tsahel Car Rental – 22664647

With a car at your own disposal, getting around in Kuwait, whether for short or long distances, should not be a problem anymore, most especially when you have your family in tow. Also, car rental is great in the country as in any part of the Middle East, because of the very affordable gas prices.

However, before you consider driving in the country, you have to understand that traffic rules in Kuwait may not be necessarily similar in the place where you came from. And so, in consideration of safety and security purposes, it’s important that you take a look into these things first, even if you feel that you are qualified to drive and to rent a car in the country.

Always remember that the law can be very specific in some parts of the world and as far as public safety and order is concerned, every resident (local or otherwise) will be strictly held accountable for any violations regarding these matters. As a final tip, always consult with authorities as to how you can best observe the law and comply with them as best as you can.