By Nejoud Al-Yagout
Many Kuwaitis must be rejoicing at the latest finding of the Global Peace Index, where Kuwait was listed as the most peaceful nation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Obviously, this accolade is worth mentioning and posting about. Kuwait has a reputation for security and safety. Also, our government is neither expansionist nor has it ever been a colonial power. To say we are happy that Kuwait does not actively encroach upon the land of other nations, and is a relatively safe country, is an understatement. However, and this a big however: What is peace without happiness?
Isn’t happiness also an essential factor in the lives of the people who inhabit Kuwait? Doesn’t happiness give us a state of peace? Many Kuwaitis are happy because we live lives of ease, we are citizens of a welfare state, our government provides us with many amenities and services. We have free education, free healthcare, and among the most beneficial pension systems. But does material comfort bring happiness or is it superficial happiness? And, if we nod and say it does bring us joy, let us not forget that we are a minority in our country. What about the expatriates that live in Kuwait? Are they happy?
Let’s look at reports. According to the Middle East Monitor, by August of 2023, Kuwait had deported 108 expatriates a day, totaling more than 25,000 expatriates from the beginning of the year! Some locals argue that the reason was because there are many illegal residents, but who allowed these residents in? Why are smugglers and human traffickers still getting away with their crimes?
And why are some locals treating illegal residents as criminals when many of them spent a fortune on coming to Kuwait under the false pretext of being a paid employee only to discover that their presence is against the law? Why is it okay to denigrate foreigners when we have so many issues we need to address as locals? Where is our compassion?
Once more, let’s look at reports. Domestic workers are employed by an antiquated kafala system in which they are legally dependent on their employers. This legal (or hopefully, soon to be illegal) dependence also creates an underlying master-slave aura in which adult workers need permission to go out, are usually given one day off a week, if they are lucky, have their passports taken away so they don’t run away, even when they may be running away from abuse or trauma.
There are domestic workers who have been assaulted, whose phones have been taken away from them, and who are not allowed to eat the same food as their employers. These may be extreme cases, but shouldn’t such factors be taken into consideration when we refer to a country as the most peaceful country in a region? Why are employers only held into account when a murder takes place? Why do we have to wait until a tragedy occurs to put laws into practice? Yes, there may be security in the streets, in terms of less crime rates in comparison to other nations, but what about humanitarian crimes within our homes?
Where does peace factor in when we speak of construction workers and street cleaners who work in the heat even when the law prohibits it? Where does peace factor in when we feel superior to others because we have oil? Even expatriates in high positions have an underlying fear that one day their job will be replaced by a Kuwaiti, regardless of whether he is more or less qualified.
Again, let’s look at reports and ascertain whether expatriates are happy. In an International ranking of 2023, Kuwait was rated the worst country for expats among a total of 53 countries. The year before, in 2022, Kuwait was also the worst country for expatriates. In an oil-rich state where few locals emigrate to other countries, many expatriates, especially from certain countries, are suffering harsh treatment and lack of dignity.
Instead of addressing such an important issue in a country where foreigners outnumber locals (70 percent expats and 30 percent locals), one would think it is imperative to create laws that protect expatriates and ensure they are implemented rather than created to appease human rights organizations and enhance our reputation abroad.
Our reputation can never be enhanced by topping the MENA Global Peace Index. True peace arises when there is a sense of community in a nation. In Kuwait, unfortunately, there is a great divide between expatriates and locals. And when this divide is bridged, we can become one of the best countries for expatriates and truly rejoice and celebrate.
local@kuwaittimes.com