On the Road: Security Campaigns and Casual Labor
The expanded security campaign, supervised by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, and involving the Ministry of Interior, the Kuwaiti Army, the National Guard, and the General Fire Directorate, which targeted the areas of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Al-Hawazi, represents a step reflecting the state’s seriousness in addressing the conditions of casual labor and combating violations that have accumulated over the years.
These campaigns did not come out of nowhere; rather, they followed the transformation of certain areas into hotspots plagued by diverse violations, including legal infractions, criminal cases, and practices contrary to public morals, as well as violations related to residency and public safety. The continuation of such conditions negatively impacts community security and poses a challenge to the state’s efforts to enforce order and the rule of law.
Undoubtedly, applying the law to everyone without exception is one of the key pillars of the modern state. It is unacceptable to allow individuals violating residency laws or wanted in connection with cases to remain at large for years, or to permit gatherings outside official regulation, which constitutes a breach of the law and a disregard for state decisions. Moreover, addressing these files does not target a specific group, but rather targets violations wherever they exist, in order to safeguard the security of citizens and residents who comply with the laws.
At the same time, the success of these campaigns requires them to be part of a comprehensive plan that goes beyond the security aspect alone, extending to addressing the root causes that led to the exacerbation of the phenomenon. Foremost among these measures are combating the trade of residency permits, tightening oversight of the labor market, regulating workers’ housing, and utilizing labor cities established specifically to accommodate large numbers of workers, thereby ensuring a safe, healthy, and organized living environment.
Furthermore, coordination among various government entities—including the Ministry of Interior, the Public Authority for Manpower, the Municipality, the Fire Directorate, and other relevant authorities—is a fundamental factor in ensuring the sustainability of results and preventing the recurrence of violations after these campaigns conclude. Maintaining security is a shared responsibility that begins with the firm and fair application of the law and ends with entrenching a culture of respect for regulations.
If the current security campaigns mark the beginning of addressing conditions that have accumulated over years, their continuation according to a comprehensive and balanced vision will be a crucial step toward enhancing security, protecting society, and preserving Kuwait’s image as a state of law and institutions that provides a safe and stable environment for all who reside on its soil, while safeguarding the rights of those who comply with the law and holding accountable anyone who violates it.
