KUWAIT CITY, Feb 9:  A draft bill on organizing the domestic labor sector in Kuwait is expected to be ratified in May 2010 as the government is serious in its bid to enforce the international regulations and clear the human rights records of Kuwait, says Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi.
Affirming the new private sector labor law will be published in the official gazette within the next two weeks, Al-Afasi said Kuwait will forward a copy of the law to the International Labor Organization (ILO).  He asserted this law clearly reflects Kuwait’s commitment to strictly enforce ILO regulations.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi, in his recent meeting with Director of the ILO’s International Labour Standards Department Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry and ILO Regional Office Manager Nida Al-Nashif, underscored the need for the international organization to issue fair and objective reports.  He also stressed that Kuwait has been exerting tremendous efforts to address human rights issues and ensure justice for all, regardless of their nationality, region or race.
Al-Khorafi also affirmed that Kuwait has been sending donations to many countries through its assistance programs - a clear indication of its dedication towards humanitarian issues.  He said a permanent committee has been formed, through the support of three civil societies, to improve the human rights records of the country.
On the other hand, Doumbia-Henry commended Kuwait for the approval of the new labor law in the private sector and the handicapped draft bill.  She confirmed ILO appreciates the steps taken by the country to improve its human rights records and steer clear of the negative remarks in international reports.
Parliamentary sources revealed the ILO delegation was supposed to meet the Human Rights Committee but it did not push through as most of the panel members are currently on vacation abroad.
In another development, he Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has received the final draft of the new labor law for private sector, reports Al-Anba daily.
Reliable sources say the final draft included all the amendments made in the National Assembly. “The Cabinet will endorse the bill, following which, it will be issued through an Amiri decree by the end of this week,” say sources, adding “the law will come into effect as soon as it is published in the official gazette.”
Other sources say a bylaw will be included in the law before May this year.
Furthermore, Director of Foundations Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Nasser Al-Ammar said a team will be formed in the next two weeks to study the accounts of charitable societies. All team members will be Kuwaitis, he added.