The Ministry of Interior announced that its General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Juvenile Protection Department conducted the campaign in cooperation with the Public Authority for Manpower across several industrial zones. Inspection teams focused on commercial establishments to verify compliance with labor regulations and residency requirements. All those detained were referred for legal and administrative procedures under applicable laws, the ministry stated. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to address violations that include the employment of minors.
According to the ministry’s breakdown, the 56 violators comprised 10 juveniles along with 17 individuals breaching Article 18 private sector residency rules and 24 violating Article 20 domestic worker provisions. The tally also included three cases under Article 22 family-dependent residency rules, one absconding incident linked to an Article 20 holder and one entry visa breach. The ministry’s figures show the actions centered on Jahra Industrial Area, Shuwaikh Industrial Area, Fahaheel Industrial Area and parts of Farwaniya.
The Public Authority for Manpower has carried out thousands of workplace inspections in recent years to enforce labor standards across the private sector. A separate Ministry of Justice assessment released in early September 2026 noted a 48 percent drop in overall juvenile crime cases during the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2025. That decline, which the ministry attributed partly to stronger legislation and inter-agency coordination, included a 63 percent reduction in traffic-related juvenile offenses.
Kuwait’s civil defence and social affairs authorities have collaborated on multiple initiatives to protect minors from exploitation and unsafe working conditions. The US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report highlighted that Kuwait maintained shelters accommodating 80 children among vulnerable migrant workers as of late 2024. Officials have emphasized that such facilities provide support and referral to appropriate services for those affected by labor violations.
The latest campaign aligns with directives from senior interior ministry leadership to intensify monitoring of companies and establishments. Undersecretary Major General Abdul Wahab Ahmed Al-Wahib supervised the operation under instructions from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef. Authorities have indicated that similar coordinated actions will continue in order to deter illegal practices and safeguard public safety.
Public Authority for Manpower data from earlier operations showed that thousands of commercial sites were visited in the preceding months with numerous violations detected and addressed through warnings or referrals. The ministry’s latest announcement underscores the role of inter-agency teams in tackling both residency infractions and cases involving underage workers. Further inspections are expected as part of sustained enforcement drives throughout industrial and commercial districts.
