Kuwait Times

Published Date: May 23, 2008
By Juney Thomas

The buildings are taller now, there are more expensive sports cars speeding along the highways, the country has just elected itself another government and new laws will hopefully get implemented. Kuwaitis aren't necessarily satisfied but they are doing better than they have ever before.

Amidst rising living costs, a growing sense of nationalism and xenophobia has begun to make itself known. Foreign nationals in Kuwait, many of whom have spent their lives working and raising families in the country, are beginning to feel that Kuwait's hospitality is running out. At the same time, Kuwaitis are struggling to adapt to the economic changes in the country.

Kuwaitis account for a meager third of the total population. They come under pressure for jobs in the private sector where expats are willing to work longer hours for lesser wages , which gives them an edge over their Kuwaiti counterparts. "Many private sector firms prefer employing expatriates to have superior productivity," reports Dr Jasim Ali, in an article for Gulfnews.com. With the kind of social system they have, Kuwaitis cannot afford a lifestyle based on the low wages that expats willingly work fo
r. In other words, they must compete with foreigner for jobs in their own country.

At first Kuwait needed the help of these people who brought new technology and expertise to develop the country. But of late, expats living in Kuwait feel the effects of 'Kuwaitization' and are seeing more Kuwaitis resenting the presence of expatriates in the country, in the office and even at the malls.

The Kuwait of today is no longer a speck of desert land on the globe. Instead, it has carved out a distinct identity for itself. Since the first days of the oil boom, workers from many countries have migrated here, the number increasing dramatically in the last few years. The expatriate population jumped from just over a million and a half in 2004 to about 3.4 million in 2008. The extra two million residents have stirred nationalism and wariness among citizens, who like other Gulf citizens are feeling inva
ded by the waves of foreign workers.

The attitude of Kuwait towards us foreigners has changed a lot," said Thomas, who has worked here since before the 1990 Iraqi invasion. "Before, we were given good wages for our work, and we were valued. Now that a lot more Kuwaiti citizens are educated and ready to work, they're rethinking the need for as many expats as before.

Foreigners still dominate the private sector while younger, well educated Kuwaitis are returning home to start their own businesses or assume leadership roles in their family firms. The day-to-day duties of most businesses, however, continue to be done by expat workers. The mass influx of foreigners and the growing number of foreigners engaged in illicit activities have triggered new, xenophobic laws. "It is harder now for us here with some of the many new laws. For example, the law which allows expats to
be deported for crossing red signal lights. It is not fair to generalize that expats cause all the traffic problems in the country, argued Huda, an expat in Kuwait. "Strong traffic laws are appreciated, but they should apply to everyone, no matter who they are.

Open hostility to expats is more common too. "Now the xenophobia is more in-your-face. Kuwait is finding it easier to tell us how expendable we are," said Elizabeth, another longtime employee here. "Where I work, a lot of expats are being fired to make room for Kuwaiti nationals.

Despite what some expats may feel, the government's program of 'Kuwaitization' makes sense for the long term health of the country's economy. Kuwait's government cannot continue to employ the growing citizenry in its public sector indefinitely. At some point, the bureaucracy will reach a saturation point and the only option for younger Kuwaitis will be to seek employment in the private sector. The government has already Kuwaitized most ministries and public sector firms in a bid to provide full employment
to its citizenry.

This isn't good news for foreign nationals, especially those who have spent most of their lives working the tiny oil-rich state. Putting it the Donald Trump way, "somebody will be fired" and unfortunately the 'somebody' points to them. Not all Kuwaitis resent the role of expatriates in the country. As with many first world cities like London, New York, Hong Kong or Dubai, foreigners make up a significant portion of the society. They also bring with them a wealth of fresh ideas, skill sets, experiences and
talents, helping a developing city or state to tap its human potential more fully.

In my opinion, expats help to diversify my country," said Tommy, a Kuwaiti who works as a web designer. Pushing out foreigners, or at the least limiting their longer term presence in the country isn't necessarily a product of xenophobia either. For some it's a matter of size, geography and plans for the future.

You can't really blame the Kuwaitis," explains Sara, a doctor. "It is their country, and they'll obviously want to look out for their own people. The country is geographically small and it is obvious that seeing so many expats around can unnerve citizens.

But for now and for the foreseeable future, Kuwait still needs expats. "Expat workers are major contributors to the expertise and efficiency of the workforce in Kuwait," says Sara. Until this changes, expats still have a place in the country.