"The article examines the broad effects of economic recession on immigrant labour flows into the Arab Gulf states. Attention is focussed on Kuwait which has experienced a significant reduction in new expatriate labour inflows since 1983. At the same time, however, the increasing rate of work permit renewals and of job transfers within the labour market suggest a growing stability of the expatriate workforce. As a result it is concluded that the economic recession may not result in a significant draw-down on expatriate labour stocks."
