For thousands of households across Kuwait, the search for reliable domestic workers has become increasingly difficult as the country faces a deepening labor shortage. In just 18 months, over 30,000 domestic workers have exited the country, leaving families scrambling to fill the gaps. Recruitment agencies are struggling to meet demand, while households that have long relied on domestic help now find themselves in a crisis. The trend, which has seen an average of 55 workers leaving Kuwait daily, is raising urgent concerns about the future of domestic employment in the country.
Data from the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) shows that by the end of December 2024, the total number of domestic workers in Kuwait had dropped to 780,930, down from 811,307 in mid-2023. This decline highlights an ongoing shift that is being driven by multiple factors, including stricter foreign labor restrictions, the rising cost of hiring, and competition from other Gulf nations that are offering more attractive employment packages.
The situation is expected to worsen as an estimated 105,000 domestic workers’ visas are set to expire by January 2025, with many of these workers showing little interest in renewing their contracts. According to industry expert Ramadan Bassam Al-Shammari, a significant portion of these workers—mostly women—are opting to leave Kuwait, either due to dissatisfaction with working conditions, better opportunities elsewhere, or the high cost of renewing their contracts.
Recruitment agencies and employers in Kuwait have pointed to a lack of cooperation from foreign recruitment offices as one of the main reasons behind the labor shortage. Many Asian countries, traditionally the primary source of domestic workers for Kuwait, have reduced labor exports due to new policies aimed at protecting their citizens from exploitative working conditions.
Industry sources have also cited financial barriers as a key challenge. Hamad Al Ali, an official at a domestic worker recruitment office, revealed that many potential workers are deterred by the high pre-arrival fees imposed by Kuwait. These fees, he explained, add a financial burden on workers before they even arrive in the country, making other Gulf nations more appealing destinations for employment.
Kuwaiti families are also adjusting to shifting domestic trends. In recent years, there has been heightened scrutiny over domestic employment following several high-profile cases involving crimes committed by domestic workers. These incidents have led some households to rethink their reliance on full-time domestic help, opting instead for part-time or alternative childcare and household support solutions.
At the same time, neighboring Gulf countries have intensified efforts to attract foreign domestic workers by offering higher wages, better working conditions, and stronger legal protections. Countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have restructured their domestic labor policies to appeal to workers from key recruitment markets like the Philippines, India, and Bangladesh. As a result, Kuwait has found itself competing in a regional labor market that has become increasingly competitive.
Compounding the issue, Kuwait itself has imposed new restrictions on domestic worker recruitment from certain nationalities, limiting the pool of available workers even further. While there are still around 450 licensed domestic worker recruitment offices operating in Kuwait, many are finding it difficult to secure enough workers to meet demand.
Unless the government takes swift action to adjust recruitment policies or negotiate new labor agreements with worker-supplying countries, the domestic worker crisis is likely to persist. Experts warn that continued labor shortages will have significant economic and social implications, particularly for households that rely on domestic help for childcare, elderly care, and daily household management.
The growing challenges in Kuwait’s domestic labor market present both a problem and an opportunity. For skilled workers in Nigeria and other countries looking for better-paying jobs abroad, understanding the shifting dynamics in the Gulf’s labor market is crucial. Those with experience in domestic work or caregiving may find opportunities in countries that are actively seeking foreign workers to fill shortages. However, it is essential for job seekers to be well-informed about contract terms, visa requirements, and legal protections before making migration decisions.
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