According to a gulf news report, over 8 lakh Indians could be forced to leave Kuwait if a new bill on expats is enacted into law. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the slump in oil prices, the Kuwait lawmakers and government officials call for reducing the number of foreigners. Due to this, there are chances that the legal and legislative committee of Kuwait’s National Assembly approves the ex-pat quota bill, according to which Indians should not exceed 15% of the population.

Reportedly, the current population of Kuwait is 4.3 million, with expats accounting for 3 million. Kuwait is a top source of remittances for India. Reportedly, the Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait totaling 1.45 million.

There are about 28,000 Indians working for the Kuwaiti Government in various jobs like nurses, engineers in national oil companies, and a few as scientists. Meanwhile, a majority of 5.23 lakh Indians are employed in private sectors, 1.16 lakh are dependents and about 60,000 are Indian students studying there.

While, India has so far not made any statement on the issue, the gulf reports have sent shockwaves across the country.