Members of the Hotel Owners Association explained that while it is understandable the government has to take serious steps to restructure the demographics, they are of the opinion that “other important steps can be taken that does not negatively impact business owners, companies and various economic sectors in the country.”
The Association pointed out that the decision to prohibit the renewal of work permits for expats aged 60 years and above, with high school diplomas and lower, and equivalent certificates, as of early January 2021, will have a significant impact on the economic sectors in the country, and it is necessary to reconsider the decision.
They indicated that the decision came suddenly, but it was supposed to be gradually implemented to allow sufficient time to not affect the most productive sectors in the economy.
The Association pointed out, “sixty-year-old expats with high school diplomas are considered productive workers with extensive experience, as they have been trained to reach the top of their profession, and it was assumed that they would be rewarded for their long hours in the job for many years, not suddenly fired.”
Highlighting the difficulties in hiring new employees, the Association revealed that it is difficult to find alternative sources for employees, especially since many countries are on a ban list from where expats are not permitted entry to Kuwait, and a large number of employees are leaving the country.
The Hotel Owners Association, headed by Ghazi Al-Nafisi, sent a memo to the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel, regarding the 60 years and above ban, to stress that such steps should not harm Kuwaiti business owners and investors, especially hotel owners, for the following reasons:
– Operating hotels requires a large number of workers, not machines and equipment. In addition, employment in hotels depends primarily on extensive experience and not on academic degrees.
– Many general managers and department managers in hotels have reached these positions due to their long experience and practical training through years working in various positions.
– The age of sixty at the present time is considered the pinnacle of career professionalism for employees.
– Hotels in Kuwait and the world run by international companies are proud, appreciative and reward employees who have devoted their professional lives to the company, and do not exclude them from work at the age of sixty.
In the event that this decision is implemented, the Hotel Owners Association, worries that “Ending the services of a very large number of competent employees who are able to work, will lead to a decline in the quality of services in hotels. This is turn will cause great damage to the reputation of Kuwait and its hospitality sector.”
Most of the jobs in hotels do not need certificates, and after the coronavirus epidemic and due to health and security conditions, it is difficult for hotels to obtain work permits for some nationalities.
The Hotel Owners Association called for a reconsideration of this decision, and mentioned that in this regard other great countries tend to rely on expertise and competencies instead of academic certificates.
Sudden decision
For his part, a member of the Industries Federation Council, Khaled Al-Abd Al-Ghani, confirmed that the Kuwaiti industry will be harmed by the decision to prohibit the issuance of a work permit for those who have reached the age of sixty, calling for reconsideration.
Al-Abd al-Ghani indicated that the reflection of this decision will cause losses to the commercial sectors in the country, including the industrial sector. He indicated that the industrial sector is proud of the professionals at this age, which have better experience than those of young people, especially since they have worked over the years until they reach the desired level. Today, if the issuance of work permits is prohibited, the heart of the industrial sector will have to make do without professionals with such experience.
He mentioned that it is difficult to find such experienced professionals in the labor market.
Al-Ghani considers the ban wrong from their point of view, as such “professionals can work until 70, and the ban will affect the factories’ revenues and their production.”
Unfair decision
In turn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Travel and Tourism Offices, Muhammad Al-Mutairi, affirmed that the decision is unfair and will have an impact on the tourism and travel offices sector, as is the case with other sectors for it will deprive them of professionals with expertise.
He pointed out, “Since the airport is still closed to some countries, it makes it difficult to find an alternative easily,” and explained that many employees have extensive experience and are well-trained at the top of their profession, and the sector will suffer more losses as a result of this sudden decision.”
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