Kuwait Restricts Domestic Worker Recruitment to 10 Countries, Excludes 27 in Major Labor Policy Overhaul

According to media reports, the decision was taken by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior following consultations with multiple government bodies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Public Authority for Manpower were also involved in the review process. Authorities stated that the revised framework is intended to improve monitoring mechanisms and ensure more effective regulation of domestic worker recruitment and management.

Under the new policy, Kuwait has approved recruitment from India, the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Ethiopia, South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, and Senegal. However, recruitment from Senegal will be restricted exclusively to male domestic workers. The government has also shifted recruitment-related administrative procedures to the level of local governorates to strengthen supervision and control.

At the same time, 27 countries have been removed from the approved recruitment list. These include several nations across Africa and Asia. In certain cases, restrictions have been applied selectively, limiting the recruitment of female domestic workers while allowing male workers to continue employment opportunities. Officials have stated that the decisions were based on comprehensive administrative and labor-related evaluations.

Kuwait has been actively working to reform its labor and visa systems in recent years, particularly focusing on improving the rights of domestic workers, enhancing accountability among recruitment agencies, and tightening regulatory frameworks. The latest measures are seen as part of this broader reform agenda.

Given the significant presence of foreign workers in Kuwait’s economy across domestic services, construction, healthcare, and other sectors, the policy shift is expected to have wide-ranging implications for job seekers and recruitment agencies. The government’s stated objective is to create a more structured, transparent, and controlled recruitment environment. The long-term impact of these changes on the labor market and international workforce mobility remains to be seen.