Kuwait to stop employment of expats over age 60

Kuwait is planning to impose a new cap on hiring foreigners based on their age, as part of a massive official drive to address the demographic imbalance in the country.

According to the new proposal, the age limit for recruiting foreigners will be reduced from 65 to 60. No contract for any expatriate who turns 60 will be renewed.

Only a limited number of positions that require particularly high skills would be exempted from the new rule, Kuwaiti daily Al Seyassah reported yesterday, citing “well-informed” sources.

“The proposal aims to enhance the quality of the workers and ensure greater ability to perform jobs,” the sources said. The move is likely to be resisted by the business community. Other measures being considered include confining family visit visas to spouses and children and limiting them to one month without the possibility of renewing them.

Currently, family visit visas cover expatriates’ relatives, including their parents, and can be extended.