The Public Authority for Manpower has activated the Balaghni service in the Sahel application to let citizens and residents file electronic reports on labour violations without visiting government offices. This includes cases where domestic worker recruitment offices charge excessive fees or fail to issue receipts and proper contracts, practices that have drawn repeated public complaints in recent years. PAM described the tool as a means to strengthen oversight, protect worker rights and reduce illegal practices across the sector. Users submit details with optional photographs and location data, then receive a reference number to track progress.[[1]](https://timeskuwait.com/sahel-enables-public-to-report-eight-labor-violations-electronically/)
The eight violations that can be reported through the platform encompass recruitment offices dealing with previously returned or re-recruited domestic workers, employment of undocumented labourers and breaches of safety rules in public spaces. Additional categories cover human rights violations involving violence, assignment of workers to roles not designated for their gender, hiring of anyone under 18 and breaches of the summer midday outdoor work prohibition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PAM introduced the feature earlier this month to simplify enforcement and encourage broader public participation in monitoring compliance. The authority noted that all reports feed directly into its regulatory systems for follow-up action.[[2]](https://www.kuwaitup2date.com/sahel-report-labour-violations/)
This digital channel builds upon earlier joint initiatives between PAM, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Interior that mandated exclusive use of K-Net cards for all recruitment payments to enhance transparency. Ministerial resolutions from 2024 set maximum fees at 750 Kuwaiti dinars for Asian workers and 575 dinars for African workers, amounts that include travel tickets and must be strictly observed. A tripartite inspection committee has conducted regular visits to offices across governorates since those rules took effect.[[3]](https://kuwaittimes.com/article/9859/kuwait/other-news/authorities-encourage-exclusive-use-of-k-net-in-labor-offices/)
Official figures from the Public Authority for Manpower placed the number of registered domestic worker recruitment offices at 448 by the end of August 2024, while data published in 2023 showed roughly 780,000 domestic workers residing in Kuwait. Inspections throughout 2025 prompted the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to summon owners of 22 offices over pricing violations, improper contracts and invoicing failures, resulting in multiple suspensions and referrals for further investigation. Such enforcement actions have targeted both overcharging and the absence of required documentation that leaves consumers without recourse.[[4]](https://www.lexismiddleeast.com/news/2024-09-16_39/en)
Access to the Balaghni service begins with logging into the Sahel app using civil identification credentials, after which users navigate to the PAM section and select the reporting option. The process requires choosing the relevant violation category, providing a description of the incident, specifying the location and attaching any available evidence before final submission. PAM has highlighted that the system eliminates previous paperwork barriers while maintaining confidentiality for those submitting reports on observed breaches.
The authority continues to urge residents to utilise the platform whenever they encounter non-compliant recruitment practices, reinforcing a regulatory framework designed to curb exploitation in the domestic labour market. Electronic tracking ensures each case receives appropriate attention from inspectors and licensing officials. Ongoing campaigns have already led to license cancellations and temporary closures for repeat offenders in prior years.
