Frank Okon

Kuwait has introduced sweeping changes to its domestic worker recruitment policy, effectively excluding Nigeria and more than two dozen other countries from supplying labour to the Gulf state’s household services sector.

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Under a new circular issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, only a limited number of countries will be permitted to participate in the recruitment of domestic workers, as authorities move to tighten regulation of the sector, improve oversight and streamline hiring procedures.

According to reports by Gulf News, the policy was adopted following recommendations from several government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Public Authority for Manpower.

The new framework restricts recruitment to a select group of countries.

Approved African countries include South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Senegal, although recruitment from Senegal is reportedly limited to male workers. Approved Asian countries are the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Nepal.

Under the revised system, recruitment procedures for workers from the approved countries will be processed through Kuwait’s governorates, a move authorities say will enhance monitoring and administrative efficiency.

The policy simultaneously places 27 countries on a prohibited list, barring the recruitment of domestic workers from those nations. Among the African countries affected are Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Malawi, Chad, Djibouti, Niger and Guinea.

Also banned are Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African Republic. Others ae Madagascar, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Angola.

Bhutan is the only Asian country included on the restricted list.

The decision is expected to have implications for many Nigerians who seek employment opportunities in Gulf countries, particularly in domestic service roles such as housekeeping, childcare, driving, cleaning and private security. Earnings from such jobs often support families back home and contribute to Nigeria’s inflow of diaspora remittances, a critical source of foreign exchange.

Analysts, however, suggest the measure may reflect broader efforts by Gulf states to reform labour recruitment systems amid concerns about worker welfare, human trafficking and compliance with health and safety standards. They note that several countries in the region have increasingly tightened labour regulations in recent years while pursuing policies aimed at expanding employment opportunities for their own citizens.

The Kuwaiti move comes amid a wider trend of labour market localization across the Gulf. In April, Saudi Arabia expanded its nationalization programme by reserving 69 additional administrative support positions exclusively for Saudi citizens. The policy covers roles including secretaries, receptionists, translators, data-entry clerks, human resources assistants, public relations officers and warehouse clerks in the private sector.

Saudi authorities said the measure forms part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to boost citizen employment and reduce dependence on foreign labour. Companies that fail to comply with the requirements face sanctions under Saudi labour laws.