KUWAIT: The Parliamentary Interior and Defense Committee is discussing a draft law that would amend Article 8 of Amiri Decree 15/1959 of the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, which was submitted by the government in the previous parliament. The proposed changes pertain to the naturalization of foreign women who are married to Kuwaiti men.

The draft law replaces the text of Article 8 of Amiri Decree 15/1959 with new provisions. Under the proposed amendments, a foreign woman who marries a Kuwaiti man will not automatically become a Kuwaiti citizen unless she declares her desire to do so to the Minister of Interior and maintains legal residence in Kuwait for a period of eighteen years from the date of marriage. The Minister of Interior may also prevent her from acquiring Kuwaiti nationality if he deems it necessary.

If the woman’s marriage ends due to death or divorce and she has a son or children, she may declare her desire to acquire Kuwaiti nationality, provided that she had maintained her legal and normal residence in Kuwait and taken care of her children until one of them reaches the age of ten. The Minister of Interior may grant her Kuwaiti nationality by decree based on his proposal.

The amendments also stipulate that the Minister of Interior may grant a foreign woman, the wife of a Kuwaiti, the treatment of a Kuwaiti individual after announcing her desire and maintaining the marriage for a period of three years. The widow of a Kuwaiti man may also be granted the treatment of a Kuwaiti individual if she has a declaration of desire and has a son or children.

According to the explanatory memorandum to the draft law, the current article allows foreign women married to Kuwaiti citizens to acquire Kuwaiti nationality after only five years of marriage, without the requirement of having children, reports Al Rai. This has led to many cases of foreign women gaining Kuwaiti nationality and then separating from their Kuwaiti husbands, without having any ties to Kuwait. The proposed amendments aim to address this issue by extending the period to eighteen years and requiring proof of loyalty and integration with Kuwaiti society.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait government has announced new regulations to address demographic imbalances in the country, which came into effect after the official publication in the “Kuwait Alyawm” gazette. The regulations include measures to restrict employment in security agencies and jobs to citizens only, as well as the introduction of a point system for expatriate workers regarding violations of laws and regulations.

The regulations also call for the determination of appropriate nationalities of workers based on the numbers of expat workers when issuing decisions related to the implementation of the law, and the classification of workers based on factors such as education and age, as well as the labor market’s need for specific professions occupied by expatriate workers.

The regulations aim to stop recruitment in certain sectors, expand the recruitment of national workers, link education outputs to the requirements of the labor market, and coordinate between government agencies related to demographics, reports Al Rai. The government also seeks to attract skilled expatriate workers through professional tests, as well as increase the percentage of national workers employed in government contracts.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior has made several arrests following a security investigation. Seven expats of varying nationalities have been detained on charges of begging and have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

The General Administration of Residence Affairs Investigation urges the public to assist in their efforts by reporting any instances of begging. The following phone numbers can be used to make a report: 97288211, 97288200, 25582581, and 25582582. In addition, emergency phone line 112 is available 24/7 to receive reports. It is the responsibility of all citizens to protect their country and prioritize the public interest.

KUWAIT: In its ongoing efforts to crack down on violators, the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has conducted several security campaigns. In one such operation, the joint tripartite committee successfully apprehended 28 individuals of varying nationalities who violated the residence and work law in the Salmiya area (Beriah Salem). The arrested individuals will be referred to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action.

Also seven expats who violated the residence law in the Kabd area were arrested. The suspects attempted to resist arrest and flee but were ultimately apprehended. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action.

KUWAIT: Starting from Saturday, the Public Authority for Roads and Land Transport has announced the closure of Al-Ghazali Street from both directions for a period of five days until Wednesday morning. Gazali street will be closed from 1:00 am to 5:00 am and is being carried out in cooperation with the General Traffic Department.

KUWAIT: Following the increase in the number of visitors to hospitals and health centers during the past few days due to seasonal flu infection, health sources reassured that the epidemiological situation in the country is stable, that the majority of patients’ symptoms are mild, and there is no cause for concern, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The sources explained that the current period is witnessing an increase in the cases of seasonal flu infection as a result of weather fluctuations, change of seasons, the tendency by many to wear light clothes, the use of air-conditioning devices in homes, at work, and even inside vehicles, and frequent contact with people infected with respiratory diseases. Hundreds of citizens and residents visited health centers and hospitals during the past week due to symptoms that may be similar to those of COVID-19.

However, initial tests and smears proved that the COVID- 19 pandemic is receding inside the country. The majority of patients are able to improve their health with some painkillers and simple medicines. People who have taken the seasonal winter vaccinations have less symptoms of flu.

These vaccines are more necessary for children from ages to six months to five years, people over the age of 65 years, pregnant women, workers in health facilities, and those suffering from chronic diseases. The sources affirmed that COVID-19 is under control, and fl u cases are within the normal rates in the country.