Q8NRI.com

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour plans to expand the scope of recruitment of expatriate workers from 36 vocations to 40 to satisfy the needs of the labor market, but the procedure will be governed by many regulations.

A reliable source said the labor sector of the ministry had earlier concluded studies concerning needs of the labor market with regards to expatriate workers to execute relevant aspects in the development plan and the concerned projects.

The source added when the ministry contacted relevant agencies they recommended the need to reserve some specialties in the public and private sectors for citizens.

Those specialties which should be reserved for Kuwaitis include the job of accountant, accounts assistant and private company representatives (mandoub).

The source affirmed many Kuwaitis are qualified to take up such jobs but largely remain unemployed.
The government meanwhile is expected to approve the proposed salary increment for Kuwaiti employees in the public and private sectors not covered by the previous increments before the parliamentary elections, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting sources.

Sources said the government is considering three proposals – increasing the cost of living allowance to KD 250, raising the basic salary by 35 percent and granting increments based on the employees’ academic qualifications and years of experience. Sources confirmed the Cabinet will review these three options in its meeting on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Al-Watan Arabic daily has reported that Ministry of Education Undersecretary Tamadher Al-Sedairawi lauded the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for approving the proposed pay raise for expatriate teachers to be on par with their Kuwaiti counterparts. She pointed out this move is an indication that the government appreciates the services rendered by these teachers.

Al-Sedairawi admitted the ministry needs 1,500 teachers with rare fields of specialization. She said the committee tasked to hire teachers from abroad has been instructed to carry out the recruitment process to be fully prepared for the next academic year.

In a related development, Al-Anba daily has quoted sources as saying that a joint committee consisting of members from the Military, Police, National Guard and Fire Service institutions has started reviewing the gratuity for non-commissioned officers and those in the Armed Forces.

This will pave the way for the government to pay those with more than 25 years in service retirement benefits equal to two years salary, sources added.
Arab Times