Qualified Expats In Kuwait Confused By Mixed Governmental Messages

Older expats in Kuwait are confused over governmental mixed messages.

In yet another attempt to hit out at the emirate’s demographic imbalance, Kuwait’s recent cancellation of older private sector expat employees’ work permit renewals wasn’t a popular move. The new rule affected expats over the age of 60, and didn’t involve those with university degrees such as engineers, medical professionals, legal consultants, partners in private companies and specialists in a variety of sectors. In addition, the age limit was brought in due to the belief that those over 60 years were far less active than younger expats.

However, just one day after the new rule was announced, a denial that expats over the age of 60 years would be banned from renewing their residency permits was issued by Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower’s office spokesman. No further mention was made about promised preparations for instigating the new rule, nor on a ministry decree to be announced in the near future. At this point, expats expecting to be affected could have been forgiven for being confused at best and furious at worst, especially after the ministerial spokesman added he couldn’t project the future but, for the present, no changes were in the pipeline.

Meanwhile in Dubai, there’s good news for expat families with children enrolled in the region’s independent private schools. Following the release of the emirate’s yearly Education Costs report, the vast majority of independent schools will be prevented from increasing their fees for the next academic year. The only educational facilities exempted from the ruling will be those able to prove their eligibility for an increase.