The timid government measures have not dispelled the prolonged crisis of overcrowding in the health labor examination centers, which are still unable to accommodate the increasing number of visitors, despite the Ministry of Health’s endeavor to open a fifth center in Mishref area to add to the four existing centers in Shuwaikh, Sabhan, Jahra and Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm Al-Hayman).

While the labor inspection departments continues to witness overcrowding, as the queues snake their way to a long distance thousands of workers wait for their turn in scorching heat of the sun in a scene not befitting Kuwait’s reputation. The crisis is likely to increase and continue with the mass return of workers, after the country has done away with the Covid-19 precautions for travelers and returned to normal work, reports a local Arabic daily.

Although the centers are operating at full capacity to receive visitors there seems to be organizational defect and to add insult to injury the slow pace of work.

The daily spoke to several people to know their opinion. One of them said he has been standing in the queue for two hours and was still waiting for his turn. A Kuwaiti who had come with his domestic worker was equally unhappy and complained about the time wasted. He said all the halls are overcrowded and this includes the areas outside the center in spite of everyone booking their appointment online. He lamented lack of organization and the lack of staff.

Another Kuwaiti, when asked for this opinion said it is chaotic. “I have two domestic workers and it took me several hours to complete the procedures. There is supposed to be some system and organized queues, especially for each category – senior citizens, young adults, expatriates and businessmen.

He appealed to the health officials to supervise what is going on at these centers and take into account the interests of the citizens who come to complete the transactions of their domestic workers. He favors setting different times for each category of workers.

Another citizen said he hopes the work to be regulated and organized in a better way saying there is nothing called impossible. He added, to add insult to injury finding place to park their vehicles in another headache.

One of the expatriates said he had come as early as 4:30 in the morning to complete his transaction but was still in the queue. He lamented the shortage of waiting places. There are no chairs, no proper bathrooms to answer the call of nature, and the overcrowding does not stop.

Another expatriate said in spite of the online booking system when he went to one of the centers, the staff there refused to entertain him. He said the examination of domestic workers should be separated from the company workers. He said he had no choice but to return without completing his work.


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