Rabab Al-Asimi: Assessing worker skills and selecting the right labor address the negatives of the labor market and residency trafficking

Amir Zaki

The Public Authority for Manpower signed a cooperation agreement yesterday with Saudi holding company “Takamol” to enhance collaboration and exchange expertise in areas related to the labor market, thereby contributing to the development and improvement of service efficiency, in coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Authority by its Director General, Eng. Rabab Al-Asimi, and on behalf of “Takamol” by its Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Al-Yamani. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, specifically Assistant Undersecretary for Supported Security Services Affairs, Major General Fawaz Al-Roumi; Director General of the General Directorate of Nationality, Brigadier General Abdulaziz Al-Omairi; Director General of Residency Affairs, Brigadier General Nasser Al-Aloush; Director of the Central Residency Systems Directorate, Colonel Muhaqqiq Mohammed Obeid Al-Dosari; as well as other officials from both sides.

The Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower stated that the signing of the agreement comes in line with the directives of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousif, aimed at developing the labor market system and enhancing the efficiency of government services, as well as elevating the level of services provided to workers and employers.

She added that the agreement also stems from the Authority’s keenness to strengthen partnerships with specialized entities and benefit from expertise, experiences, and successful practices in developing labor market services and supporting digital transformation.

She noted that the cooperation reflects the deep fraternal relations between the State of Kuwait and the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the commitment of both sides to exchange expertise and knowledge to support the development of the labor market system and elevate the level of services provided to workers and employers. She pointed out that the agreement falls within the Authority’s efforts to keep pace with developments in the labor market and enhance the efficiency of government services in a manner consistent with the requirements of the coming stage.

The Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower emphasized that the agreement also aims to develop electronic systems in accordance with the latest global technologies, alongside establishing modern policies specific to the labor market and adopting skills and professionalism for workers. She noted that the Authority seeks to measure workers’ skills, which contributes to increasing efficiency and productivity, ultimately reflecting positively on the national economy. She added that “Takamol” possesses expertise in this field, expressing the Authority’s anticipation of exchanging expertise with the company.

In response to a question, Eng. Rabab Al-Asimi clarified that empowering Kuwaiti nationals to work in the private sector is among the projects and initiatives of the Public Authority for Manpower, considering it the cornerstone of the Authority’s vision. She stated that if the required skills are not available, expatriate labor is utilized. She pointed out that the agreement has other objectives as well, including empowering Kuwaiti nationals to work in the private sector.

She mentioned that “Takamol” has a track record in developing smart electronic platforms in the Gulf labor market, and that the Authority seeks to exchange expertise and experiences with its brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside modifying the perceptions of some employers and workers by providing distinctive electronic services that align with their future aspirations.

She added that electronic development is witnessing significant growth, and that the Authority wishes to strengthen the partnership, propose new ideas and more advanced services, and benefit from artificial intelligence in this field.

She reiterated that the most important aspect of the agreement is the adoption of practical skills for workers, explaining that Kuwait seeks to establish professional standards for workers, renew and measure those skills, and attract skilled labor, thereby raising the efficiency of the labor market.

Regarding the agreement’s role in curbing marginal or irregular labor, she said that measuring the skills required by each company and applying them accurately and clearly will impact productivity.

On the most prominent observations in the labor market that the Authority is working to overcome and mitigate, she affirmed that selecting skilled labor, measuring workers’ skills, and making the right choices addresses many negative issues, such as the trafficking of residency permits. She assured journalists of the Authority’s commitment to continuing the development of electronic services and not settling for what has been achieved in this regard.

For his part, Ahmed Al-Yamani, Chief Executive Officer of “Takamol,” said that the partnership with the “Manpower” Authority begins with building the Unified Professional Guide, which the Authority has made significant progress in preparing, thereby contributing to raising the level of services, automating them, and enhancing their economic value for employers.

Al-Yamani added that building the Unified Professional Guide and linking it to skills represents an important step in developing the labor market, noting that “more than 80% of employers worldwide are now more interested in workers’ skills than in their degrees.”

He clarified that verifying workers’ skills and certificates helps meet labor market needs, increase productivity, and ensure that employers obtain suitable competencies.

He stated that “Takamol’s” role in this partnership involves fully automating the verification journey for skills and certificates, thereby providing workers and employers with a smooth, fast, and cost-effective experience.