KUWAIT CITY, Feb 22: The new labor law for the private sector, which came into effect since Sunday, has been criticized by International Labor Organization (ILO), rights organizations and several other groups, reliable sources in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor told Freedom Journal. “The original bill has been distorted due to addition of some MPs’ proposals and requests of owners of commercial establishments. In fact, many articles which were in favor of employees working in the private sector have been changed and there are no special privileges in the bill as some people imagine,” say sources. Moreover, they say, it will discourage Kuwaitis from working in the private sector. The Legal Administration at the ministry is studying the bill and will submit its notes to the minister, they said, adding it will also explain the ‘gaps.’  According to sources, a new set of problems will rise now, especially since the law doesn’t really offer any new privileges and doesn’t deserve the din and clamor that preceded its issuance. Meanwhile, the government has been working assiduously to increase the current 15 percent of national manpower to 21 by the end of development plan in 2014, reports Al-Wasat daily.

A source reported that the government is planning to actualize this through expansion of production base and investment opportunities in the private sector. He said the government will resolve lapses noted in the labor market by using financial incentives to encourage citizens to work in the private sector and limit recruitment of expatriates. He confirmed changes will soon be made on the national manpower labor policies to accommodate about 65 percent of new applicants into the labor market — an annual average of about 14,000 employment opportunities. He explained the policy change will include encouraging women and youths to be more active in productive activities.  He believes this is attainable through the enactment of legislation concerning medium and micro projects. According to the source, this initiative will increase the current 17 percent of Kuwaiti employees in the private sector to 30 percent by the end of 2014. “This will enable the government to raise the number of Kuwaiti participants in economic activities within the population from about 59 percent and 43 percent males and females respectively,” he added.

In another development, implementation of the of the automation project at the Labor Sector in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor will start on April 4, 2010, says Minister Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi. Al-Afasi made the announcement at a press conference after a meeting between the ministry officials and Civil Service Commission (CSC) Sunday. Stating the project is part of the five-year development plan of the government, Al-Afasi expressed his satisfaction over the strong coordination among the concerned government departments to ensure the success of the project. He opined this level of cooperation should continue to improve the quality of services offered to the public. He added the testing phase of the project will be carried out on March 10 all over the country.