Queues At Labor Health Inspection Centers Reveal Government Inaction

There has been no improvement in the situation despite the government's timid measures, which have not abated the ongoing overcrowding in the health labor examination centers. These centers continue to struggle with a growing number of visitors despite the effort of the Ministry of Health to open a fifth center in Mishref to complement the existing four in Shuwaikh, Sabhan, Jahra, and Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Umm Al-Hayman).

Thousands of workers wait in scorching heat waiting for their turn at Kuwait's labor inspection departments as the queues snake their way to a long distance in overcrowded conditions befitting Kuwait's reputation. After taking away the Covid-19 precautions for travelers and returning to normal work, the crisis is likely to continue with the mass return of workers, reports a local Arabic newspaper.

It appears that the visitor centers are running at full capacity, yet there is a serious organizational problem, compounded by the slow pace of work.

Several people were consulted for their opinion in the daily. According to one of them, he had waited for his turn for two hours in the queue. Kuwaiti domestic laborer who had been sent with him was equally unhappy, complaining about wasted time. Although everyone booked their appointment online, he said that there is still overcrowding throughout the center, including outside the center. The lack of staff and organization was also criticised.

According to another Kuwaiti, the situation is chaotic. The process took several hours for me to complete with two domestic workers. For senior citizens, young adults, expatriates, and businessmen, there should be a system and organized queues.

To assure the safety of the citizens who come to these centers to complete their transactions with their domestic workers, he asked the health officials to supervise what is going on at these facilities. He also suggests different times for workers in different categories.

The last citizen said it is essential to organise and regulate the work in a better way because there is nothing impossible about it. Another headache is finding a place for their vehicles to park, he said.

The expat told us he came to the counter at 4:30 in the morning to complete his transaction and he is still in line. He complained about the lack of waiting space. Overcrowding continues, and there are no chairs, no proper restrooms to satisfy the need to relieve oneself.

In spite of the online booking system, another expat reported the staff would not entertain him at one of the centers. According to him, domestic workers should be examined separately from company employees. No other option was available to him but to return without finishing his work.

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