Mandatory test for workers for approval of work permits

The Public Authority for Manpower proposed an integrated concept to approve skilled workers for 100 professions. Conducting tests for workers in their countries of origin will now become a basic condition for approval of work permits, local daily Arab Times reported.

According to report, the policy will be applied gradually, starting with about ten technical professions including electrical work, carpentry, mechanic, iron bending and other industrial related works.

Public Authority for Manpower will engage an international company to carry out the test through approved institutions, not academies, in those countries. The specialized company will collaborate with about 5,500 approved institutes across the world, and three of them are operating in Kuwait.

The overseas test will reduce the rate of inflow of marginal workers into the country particularly into the labor market, report added.