Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KUWAIT1664
2006-05-10 09:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT TRADER
how-toVZCZCXRO9444 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHKU #1664 1300954 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 100954Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4389 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001664
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP G/TIP, AND INL/HSTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB KU IZ BA TIP
SUBJECT: FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT TRADER
UNCLAS KUWAIT 001664
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP G/TIP, AND INL/HSTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB KU IZ BA TIP
SUBJECT: FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT TRADER
1. The Arabic-language daily Al-Watan reported on May 10
that the Criminal Court sentenced an Iraqi man to five years
in prison and subsequent deportation for fraudulently
obtaining residence permits. The convicted man was using a
Bahraini identification card to sponsor workers. He aroused
suspicion when he tried to renew a residence permit and the
Immigration Department noticed that the Bahraini I.D. had
recently expired. They discovered the actual Bahraini had
not been in Kuwait since 2002 yet tens of workers were
sponsored under his name during that time.
2. Comment: The phenomenon of illegally selling residence
permits is a major contributing factor to exploitation of
expatriate workers. Some workers go deeply into debt in
order to obtain residence permits from criminal brokers.
Since they are sponsored illegally, they usually work without
contracts which makes it harder for them to redress
work-related grievances. Furthermore, they are generally
unwilling to go to authorities when employers exploit their
indebtedness and illegal status. A sentence of five years
for the perpetrator in this instance is a strong deterrent
message. End Comment.
********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************* *
LEBARON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP G/TIP, AND INL/HSTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM ELAB KU IZ BA TIP
SUBJECT: FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR RESIDENCE PERMIT TRADER
1. The Arabic-language daily Al-Watan reported on May 10
that the Criminal Court sentenced an Iraqi man to five years
in prison and subsequent deportation for fraudulently
obtaining residence permits. The convicted man was using a
Bahraini identification card to sponsor workers. He aroused
suspicion when he tried to renew a residence permit and the
Immigration Department noticed that the Bahraini I.D. had
recently expired. They discovered the actual Bahraini had
not been in Kuwait since 2002 yet tens of workers were
sponsored under his name during that time.
2. Comment: The phenomenon of illegally selling residence
permits is a major contributing factor to exploitation of
expatriate workers. Some workers go deeply into debt in
order to obtain residence permits from criminal brokers.
Since they are sponsored illegally, they usually work without
contracts which makes it harder for them to redress
work-related grievances. Furthermore, they are generally
unwilling to go to authorities when employers exploit their
indebtedness and illegal status. A sentence of five years
for the perpetrator in this instance is a strong deterrent
message. End Comment.
********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************* *
LEBARON