Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Kuwait: Expats banned from entering supermarkets

Expatriates in Kuwait have reportedly been banned from entering co-operative societies supermarkets during Ramadan, according to a Kuwait Times report. Several expats have complained that they have been denied entry in Police Co-Operative Societies, which are reportedly only allowing Kuwaiti citizens or Interior Ministry staff to enter. Kuwait’s Head of Consumer Protection Association, Meshaal Al Mane, called it an “illegal decision”, saying the ban violates consumer protection and human rights laws. Security guards have reportedly been checking people’s IDs to filter customers before allowing them entry. An employee, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the move has been implemented since the start of Ramadan. “This decision is against the laws of consumer protection and the ministry of commerce and industry and human rights. Let’s assume that their claims that the co-ops are crowded is true. This is an administrative matter and must be organised administratively and not by random decisions, especially by preventing a consumer from buying their needs in the month of Ramadan,” Al Mane was quoted as saying by Kuwait Times. The official said that cooperative societies are subject to the same laws and should allow both expats and citizens to enter the facility and have the chance to buy and shop. The Consumer Protection Association and the undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce have been informed about the incidents at Police Co-Operative Societies, Al Mane said. ICA/Expat Media
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