Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has formed a new committee to withdraw driving licenses from expats who hold a salary of less than KWD600 and those who do not have a university degree, according to a report by the Arabic daily Al-Jarida.
The ministry will reportedly implement its decision to “deal with traffic jams,” the report said, adding that the committee was formed by First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Acting Minister of Defense, Sheikh Talal Al-Khalid.
However, the report said that traffic crisis is solved by improving roads and building bridges and tunnels, not by discriminatory decisions, citing private sources.
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Kuwait ministry plans to withdraw expats’ licenses
Al-Jarida reportedly said that the ministry will place a “block” on an expat license, and will “put about 300,000 licenses under the guillotine of withdrawal, noting that when it enters into force, it will be applied immediately and retroactively, causing endless confusion and chaos for those whose licenses have been withdrawn, as well as their business owners who are also citizens.”
According to sources, addressing traffic congestion does not require discriminatory solutions that unfairly target expatriates who contribute to the country’s economy.
Many countries around the world tackle traffic issues through a variety of approaches, such as improving infrastructure, enhancing public transportation, and regulating the taxi industry, the report said, citing the sources.
Moreover, Kuwait should adopt a similar multifaceted strategy instead of relying on a repeated approach that puts the country at risk of international criticism for mistreating immigrants, the report said.
In 2021, Al-Jarida also launched a campaign against the former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior’s decision to restrict expatriates’ driving licenses based on their academic qualifications and job titles, resulting in the cancellation of this unfair policy, the report said, adding that the policy appears to be making a comeback.
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