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Kuwait Faces Transaction Freeze as Biometric Deadline Passes

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Kuwait Faces Transaction Freeze as Biometric Deadline Passes

Kuwait Faces Transaction Freeze as Biometric Deadline Passes. As Kuwait moves towards digital transformation and enhanced security, the biometric fingerprinting process has become a pivotal requirement for all citizens. However, with the deadline for completing this procedure having passed, an alarming 59,841 Kuwaitis still have not complied, leaving their transactions in jeopardy.

The Ministry of Interior has already started implementing strict measures, which will significantly affect non-compliant individuals, including freezing bank accounts and civil ID suspensions.

Major Impact on Non-Compliant Citizens

The Ministry of Interior, through the Criminal Evidence General Department, announced the deadline for completing biometric fingerprinting on Monday, October 1, 2024. According to Major General Eid Al-Awaihan, the director of the Criminal Evidence General Department, those who missed the deadline face severe consequences.

In a recent televised interview, he confirmed that all transactions for individuals who did not complete the biometric process would be suspended immediately. This includes government services and financial dealings, adding substantial pressure on nearly 60,000 citizens to comply swiftly.

Transition of Biometric Devices to Service Centers

In a strategic move to streamline the fingerprinting process, the ministry shifted all biometric devices from shopping malls to dedicated service centers affiliated with the Criminal Evidence Department. This transition, completed by Sunday night, ensures that citizens have access to complete their biometric fingerprinting in an organized and controlled manner.

Major General Al-Awaihan emphasized the importance of completing the procedures quickly, as delays may lead to further consequences, such as investigations to determine the reasons for non-compliance.

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Read Also: New Rules for Transferring from Government Projects to the Private Sector

Extended Hours to Facilitate Compliance

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Ministry of Interior extended working hours at biometric fingerprint centers and select shopping malls across various governorates. These centers remained operational until midnight on the final day of the deadline, in an effort to accommodate the influx of citizens rushing to meet the requirement.

The ministry urged citizens to take advantage of the extended hours, warning that failure to comply would result in the suspension of their civil ID cards and all subsequent government and banking transactions.

Suspension of Services for Non-Compliant Citizens

Beginning on October 1, 2024, the ministry ceased offering biometric services at shopping malls, while criminal evidence centers continue to provide these services daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. Citizens who missed the deadline can still complete the procedure at these centers, but the window to avoid a suspension of services is rapidly closing.

The implications of missing the biometric fingerprinting deadline extend beyond just government transactions. Banking institutions are also implementing stringent measures. According to sources from the banking sector, access to all electronic channels and payment systems for non-compliant customers will be stopped starting October 1.

This includes viewing account balances, obtaining statements, and conducting money transfers. Additionally, payment services such as Wamd will be restricted, leaving individuals unable to process even basic financial transactions.

Banks to Freeze Accounts

One of the most significant consequences of failing to complete the biometric process is the freeze on bank accounts. From November 1, 2024, banks will impose a “block” on the accounts of those who have not complied with the fingerprinting requirement. Initially, in-person withdrawals will be allowed until November 1, but after this date, even this option will be prohibited.

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By mid-October, all electronic bank cards, including K-Net, Visa, and MasterCard, will be deactivated for non-compliant individuals. The deactivation will render these cards useless for both deposits and withdrawals, forcing customers to visit their banks in person. However, after November 1, access to funds will be entirely cut off, leaving non-compliant citizens unable to conduct any financial transactions.

Urgent Need for Compliance

The Ministry of Interior and banking institutions have made it clear that completing the biometric fingerprinting process is not optional. Major General Eid Al-Awaihan has urged the remaining 59,841 citizens to comply as soon as possible to avoid further penalties and investigations. These investigations are intended to determine the reasons behind the delay in completing the biometric procedures and could result in legal repercussions.

The biometric fingerprinting process is essential for verifying citizens’ identities and ensuring the security of government and financial transactions. By enforcing this requirement, Kuwait aims to improve its national security infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and ensure that only legitimate transactions take place.

However, the consequences of non-compliance are severe, and citizens are urged to act immediately to avoid being caught in the stringent measures that have already begun to take effect.

Conclusion

As Kuwait pushes forward with its biometric fingerprinting initiative, the nearly 60,000 citizens who have not yet completed the process face significant obstacles. The suspension of government services, banking freezes, and the potential for investigations serve as stark reminders of the importance of compliance. For these citizens, the window of opportunity to avoid these penalties is rapidly closing.

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While the government and banks are providing service centers and extending deadlines, the onus is on the individuals to act quickly and ensure that their transactions and accounts remain active.

Failure to do so will result in complete transactional isolation, with no access to funds, government services, or even the ability to withdraw cash. This initiative marks a critical step in Kuwait’s efforts to modernize its systems and safeguard its citizens, but it also places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of those who must comply with the new regulations.

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New Rules for Transferring from Government Projects to the Private Sector

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New Rules for Transferring from Government Projects to the Private Sector

New Rules for Transferring from Government Projects to the Private Sector. In a landmark decision, the Kuwaiti government has introduced new rules that will significantly impact the labor market, particularly concerning the transfer of workers from government projects to the private sector.

The changes, announced by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah, represent a significant shift in how expatriate labor mobility is handled in Kuwait.

Effective November 3, 2024, the new regulations come with a clear framework for transferring workers who were initially hired for government projects and contracts to the private sector. The decision also involves the elimination of a long-standing restriction that previously prevented these workers from moving to cooperative societies and unions, making the private sector a more accessible avenue for labor mobility.

The End of Clause No. 5 and the Changes It Brings

One of the most notable amendments under this new directive is the cancellation of Clause No. 5 of Article No. 3 from Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Resolution No. 842 of 2015. This clause previously barred expatriate workers brought into the country for government projects from transferring to other sectors, particularly cooperative societies and unions.

The cancellation of this clause opens up broader opportunities for these workers, allowing them to explore employment opportunities in the private sector. However, this transfer is not without specific conditions, which must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure a smooth transition from the public to the private employment sector.

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Read Also: 47,000 Kuwaitis Miss Biometric Deadline, 35,000 Bank Accounts Suspended

New Conditions for Worker Transfers

To regulate the process, the Kuwaiti government has set out five key conditions that workers and employers must meet for a successful transfer. These guidelines ensure that only eligible workers are transferred and that the movement of labor does not negatively affect ongoing or pending government projects. Below are the detailed conditions:

  1. Project Termination: The government project or contract under which the worker was originally employed must have been completed or terminated. Without the conclusion of the project, no transfer will be allowed. This ensures that workers fulfill their contractual obligations before moving to new employment.
  2. Official Confirmation: A letter must be issued by the government authority responsible for the project. This letter, addressed to the Public Authority for Manpower, must confirm that the project has officially ended and that the workers involved are no longer needed. This formal confirmation is crucial to validate the worker’s eligibility for transfer.
  3. One-Year Employment Minimum: For a worker to be eligible for a transfer, they must have been employed for at least one year under the government contract. This condition prevents premature transfers and ensures that workers have committed a significant portion of their contract period to the project they were hired for.
  4. Employer’s Approval: The current employer, with whom the worker is registered, must approve the transfer. This step ensures that the transition is mutually agreed upon by both the worker and the employer, preventing any potential labor disputes.
  5. Transfer Fee: An additional fee of 350 Kuwaiti dinars must be paid to facilitate the transfer. This fee is a necessary step in the process and reflects the administrative costs associated with processing the worker’s transfer from a government contract to a private sector role.
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Impact on Kuwait’s Labor Market

This new directive represents a significant shift in Kuwait’s labor regulations. By allowing workers employed on government projects to transfer to the private sector, the Kuwaiti government is creating more flexibility in its labor market. It is expected that this move will ease labor shortages in the private sector, particularly in industries that have been struggling to find skilled workers.

Moreover, the cancellation of restrictions on transfers to cooperative societies and unions is seen as a progressive step towards labor mobility. Previously, these restrictions limited the options available to expatriates working in Kuwait, especially those who completed their contracts on government projects. Now, these workers will have greater freedom to pursue employment in various sectors, which could potentially lead to a more dynamic and competitive labor market.

Financial Implications of the Transfer Fee

The introduction of the 350 Kuwaiti dinar fee is another aspect of this regulation that has caught attention. This fee is intended to cover the administrative costs associated with processing transfers and to ensure that the system remains efficient and sustainable. For workers, the fee may represent a significant cost, especially for lower-paid employees.

However, for many, the opportunity to move to the private sector and secure new employment may outweigh the financial burden of the fee.

Employers, too, will need to factor in this additional cost when considering the transfer of workers from government projects. The fee ensures that only serious transfer requests are processed and may also serve as a deterrent against unnecessary or premature transfers.

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A New Era for Expatriate Workers in Kuwait

The new regulations are a clear indication of Kuwait’s intent to modernize its labor laws and create a more flexible labor market that can respond to the needs of various sectors. For expatriate workers, this is a major opportunity, as it provides them with more mobility and access to private sector jobs once their government project contracts conclude.

Employers in the private sector, meanwhile, may benefit from a wider pool of available workers, particularly those with experience in large-scale government projects. As Kuwait continues to evolve its labor policies, these new rules are likely to be the first of many reforms aimed at streamlining labor mobility and improving the overall employment ecosystem.

Conclusion

The new rules for transferring from government projects to the private sector are a progressive step for Kuwait’s labor market. The introduction of clear guidelines and a transfer fee ensures that the process is regulated and fair for both workers and employers.

This change not only benefits expatriate workers looking for new opportunities but also strengthens the private sector by providing it with a more diverse and experienced workforce.

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