Kuwaiti citizen earns 528 dinars monthly from Uber or Driver

Recently, calls have emerged on social media encouraging Kuwaiti citizens to work in ride-hailing applications such as Uber and Driver, presenting the idea as an easy opportunity to earn additional income, and perhaps as an alternative or competitor to expatriate drivers.

On the contrary, it is commendable for an individual to work and seek additional sources of income; work is not a disgrace, whether in a government job, the private sector, or behind the wheel of a car.

However, the problem begins when we sell the idea to citizens as a profitable venture before presenting them with the full bill.

Then there is the cost of food during eight hours of work; let’s say just 5 Kuwaiti dinars per day, which amounts to approximately 120 dinars per month.

This is before accounting for insurance, maintenance, oil, tires, vehicle depreciation, car washing, actual consumption, sick days, days of low demand, and the time a driver spends waiting for passengers without receiving any fare.

Ride-hailing apps are part of the modern economy. Uber itself clarifies that driver income is affected by the time and location of driving, the number of trips, and various fees, services, and costs. Additionally, vehicle requirements and regulatory conditions vary from one market to another.

Kuwait is a small country in terms of its citizen population. It is a nation of prosperity and stability, and its economic model has historically been based on openness and the recruitment of expertise and labor from various countries.

It is not economically wise for every labor market issue to be framed as “citizen versus expatriate.”

Driving for eight hours a day should be an option for those who choose it, not presented as a magical economic solution.

At the same time, we should not view expatriate drivers as if they are taking away opportunities from citizens.

Open the market so that citizens can find their place, and allow expatriates the space to work that does not conflict with the law.

There may be waiting times during which you earn nothing.

After all that, calculate your net income.

Working in ride-hailing apps may be excellent for a student, an employee seeking additional income, or a person who owns a car and does not want a fixed schedule.

In the end, we do not need a war between citizens and expatriates.

We need an economy that creates more opportunities than there are job seekers, a market that accommodates everyone, and citizens who choose to work because they see it as worthwhile... not because someone has convinced them that fuel, maintenance, and vehicle depreciation are not part of the calculation.