Q8NRI.com

Kuwait – Labor minister Dr. Mohammad Al-Afasi has warned that the business dealings of any private sector company found not to be complying with the recently introduced minimum wage legislation will be suspended from next month. The minister said that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) had taken the decision in order to alleviate the suffering of expatriate workers, especially those on low wages who are being exploited by some employers.

Is it realistic for any worker to get a wage of KD 18 per month under the current living conditions?" the minister asked. "How will he get his food? Do we find this acceptable?

The minister also asserted that the MSAL will continue with implementing its computerized system, which he said will eventually eliminate corruption there, despite the obstacles it has faced. Iqama or residency visa traders will no longer be able to operate within the new system, he continued, and it will not exclude anyone, regardless of their position. The minister further stated that the computerized system will also quickly expose fake companies and those exploiting workers’ situations, reported Al-Qabas.

Dr. Al-Afasi also revealed that the MSAL has managed to reduce the number of expatriate workers in the country by nearly 200,000 in one year alone, explaining that the ministry is working to limit the numbers of unskilled workers and others not required by the job market.

Kuwait Times