ABSTRACT
There has been a deep reluctance in Kuwait to face up to the challenges of the presence of a large and difficult-to-manage workforce. Among the results of the growth of the foreign workforce in Kuwait has been the bringing into play of a range of domestic and foreign pressures of a political kind. The Egyptians in Kuwait comprise less of an immediate political problem, though even here there have been perceptible limits to government responses to them even when they have clearly been in contravention of Kuwaiti law. Kuwait has always been circumspect in its relations with its powerful neighbours in all aspects of its policies. The very laws in Kuwait governing foreign labour ensure that those leaving employment must quit the country within two weeks of the expiry of their jobs. Kuwait does have some options to influence the sources, the marital status, and the length of stay and the qualifications of its foreign workers.
