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Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel

KUWAIT CITY, May 2: Around 3,100 expatriate public sector employees were terminated last year, in addition to 2,500 this year, says Human Resources Committee Rapporteur MP Mohammed Al-Huwaila quoting State Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel.

According to Al-Huwaila, the minister made the announcement during her meeting with the committee recently. He said the minister confirmed that the employment replacement policy is underway.

In a meeting with representatives of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait University, Ministry of Higher Education and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC); the committee discussed the private sector’s role in providing jobs for citizens.

They also reviewed the performance of authorities tasked to supervise and promote private sector employment for nationals. The committee highlighted the responsibility of the Higher Education Ministry in identifying and promoting specializations that are in demand. It urged PAAET to broaden its horizon in terms of offering training courses in order to replace expatriates in technical positions with citizens.

Meanwhile, KPC has provided the committee with the necessary information – an indication that is keen on employing most of the applicants who passed the interviews and examinations. The MP assured the Kuwaiti public that the committee will not falter in seeking solutions to the job crisis, disclosing the committee requested the oil sector to present its future projects which will generate job opportunities for citizens.

Furthermore, the committee once again tackled the controversial bill on the civil rights of Bedouns with Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Al- Sabah and his team in attendance. Committee Chairman MP Adel Al-Damkhi revealed the discussion revolved around the items which will be addressed during deliberations on the bill and exchanging points of views with the government to avoid conflicts in the upcoming session.

The government did not present its opinion at the meeting, stating that its final stance will be disclosed during the session and since the final report on the bill has been submitted to the Assembly, further amendments will have to be presented in the session as well.

Al-Damkhi stressed that any disagreement over the bill should be resolved by the Assembly during the session, not by influencers who use the media to mislead the public. “The bill grants basic human rights to people living amongst us in this humanitarian country,” he affirmed.

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff