Kuwait official expresses support for expat funeral fees

An official in Kuwait has expressed his support for charging expats in the country for funeral services.

Municipal Council member Dr Hassan Kamal said the fees would be “nominal” and could be used to improve graveyards and the quality of services, according to local newspaper Al Rai.

He also encouraged the government to require foreigners to have a valid residency visa in order to provide funeral services.

Funeral services in the country are currently free of charge.

Foreign workers make up an estimated 70 per cent of the country’s 4.4 million population and have been a common topic of political debate in the country in recent months.

MPs in the country have called for measures to limit the number of expats to 50 per cent of the population.

Read: Kuwait MPs demand debate on expat population in Feb

The country is also said to be considering taxes on expat remittances, banning foreign workers from government jobs and other measures.

New power and water rate increases issued later this year will affect expats and companies only.

Read: Kuwait parliament to discuss expat remittance tax