Kuwaiti authorities have opened an investigation into a gathering of workers outside the headquarters of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), after preliminary findings raised suspicions of human trafficking and wider labor-law violations. The case has been referred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further inquiry.
PAM said its team interviewed the workers to determine the circumstances behind the gathering and found signs of possible criminal activity linked to labor practices, particularly in the delivery sector. Officials said the initial review also pointed to sponsorship-related violations and possible worker exploitation.
Authorities have not yet released full details about the number of workers involved or the identities of those under scrutiny, but said legal procedures are now underway. The referral suggests the case may go beyond an ordinary labor dispute and could involve offenses under Kuwait’s anti-trafficking and labor laws.
The investigation comes as Kuwait faces continued scrutiny over labor exploitation and visa-trading practices affecting migrant workers. A recent U.S. State Department trafficking report noted that Kuwait had criminalized “visa trading” under its new residency law and described migrant workers as remaining vulnerable to trafficking and forced labor.
Officials say the latest probe is part of broader efforts to tighten oversight of recruitment, sponsorship and employment practices involving expatriate labor. More details are expected as the criminal investigation proceeds.
