Kuwait, Egypt discuss forming committee to recruit skilled labor
Ambassador Osama Shaltout
KUWAIT: Kuwait and Egypt are in discussion to form a joint technical committee to coordinate the recruitment of Egyptian skilled labor, in a step aimed at addressing labor market needs while upholding regulatory standards, Egypt's State Information Service said on Monday. The announcement follows a meeting between Egypt's Ambassador to Kuwait, Osama Shaltout, and Acting Director General of Kuwait's Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), Marzouq Dhaifallah Al-Otaibi, at PAM headquarters in Kuwait City. According to Egypt's State Information Service, the committee is expected to include representatives from Egypt's Ministry of Labor and will align labor supply with sector-specific demands in the local economy, the statement added.
The move comes nearly 14 months after Kuwait suspended the issuance of new work visas for Egyptian nationals in April 2024. The suspension aimed to impose stricter controls on recruitment and prioritize applicants with higher education credentials and skills relevant to the Kuwaiti labor market. Local media at the time cited complaints from employers as one of the primary drivers behind the policy change. While the visa suspension remains in place for now, the new coordination mechanism signals a potential step toward resuming regulated labor flows - albeit under stricter qualifications and oversight.
During the meeting, Ambassador Shaltout commended Kuwaiti officials for the services provided to Egyptian workers. He also praised PAM's efforts to advance bilateral cooperation on labor issues. 'We are pleased with the continued efforts to strengthen ties and ensure the protection of workers' rights while supporting the development goals of both countries,' he said.
The Public Authority of Manpower welcomed the Egyptian initiative, describing it as part of a shared commitment to 'enhancing the historical relations between the two countries' and improving labor market outcomes through tighter coordination. Both sides stressed the importance of sustained communication to ensure the success of the plan and affirmed that the initiative serves the mutual interests of Egypt and Kuwait, said the statement.
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