Kuwait is planning to deport expatriates caught begging during Ramadan, alongside penalties for sponsors of offenders. Eleven individuals, arrested for soliciting, include irregular workers and those with visit or residency permits. Legal actions will be taken against companies involved, and stricter measures will address child exploitation and social media begging during this benevolent season.
Kuwait is initiating measures to deport expatriates found begging during Ramadan as part of a coordinated crackdown on illegal begging activities. The Ministry of Interior has reported the arrest of eleven expatriates, comprising eight women and three men, of both Arab and Asian descent, caught soliciting in front of mosques and markets. Some individuals involved had entered Kuwait on visit visas or family residency permits, while others were irregular workers without stable employment.
Legal actions are being enforced against companies that facilitated the illegal recruitment of these individuals. The General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations will oversee the deportation of violators; dependents with residence permits will be deported alongside their sponsors, while workers employed in the private sector will face penalties for their employing companies in addition to their deportation.
Domestic workers engaging in begging will also be subject to deportation and their sponsors will be prohibited from acquiring labor visas in the future. The Ministry cautioned that individuals exploiting children for sympathy will face charges of “exploitation of minors,” followed by robust legal repercussions. Furthermore, the Ministry has indicated that legal measures will also address cases of begging conducted via social media.
During Ramadan, a period characterized by generosity, beggars often increase their efforts, prompting Kuwait to deploy specialized teams targeting them. These teams will arrest individuals who approach residences asking for alms, especially just before Iftar, or those seen begging in commercial areas and outside of places of worship.
In summary, Kuwait’s government is implementing stringent measures against begging, notably during the holy month of Ramadan. Expatriates caught engaging in this activity will face deportation, and legal actions will target companies involved in their recruitment. Furthermore, individuals exploiting children will be prosecuted, and measures against begging through social media will be enforced. This initiative aims to uphold the country’s laws and maintain the dignity of the Ramadan observance.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
