KUWAIT CITY, March 2:  The Government Manpower and Restructuring Program (GMRP) will impose harsh penalties against companies that fail to comply with the specified percentage of national manpower, reports Al-Sabah daily quoting Manpower Planning Department Manager at GMRP Eng Farris Al-Enzi.
Affirming the GMRP has been encouraging the Kuwaiti youths to take up jobs in the private sector, Al-Enzi stressed companies found to have violated the national manpower law will be prohibited from bidding for projects, not entitled to financial support from the government, and will not receive farming land areas.
Admitting the authorities have expressed concern over the fact that expatriates constitute 70 percent of the total workforce in the private sector, Al-Enzi revealed the government is keen on increasing the national manpower percentage in this sector to 97 percent - a far cry from the current 30 percent.  He said the GMRP’s target is to create 12,300 job opportunities for the Kuwaiti youth.
Clarifying the GMRP focuses on the big companies, Al-Enzi stated there are certain exceptions for the small companies.  He stressed the need to grant more privileges to the Kuwaiti youth and develop their skills for them to gain a competitive edge in the private labor sector, since 70 percent of the tenders are usually awarded to private companies.

Meanwhile, a committee formed by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi is studying the possibility of amending about 30 ministerial decisions in line with the new labor law in the private sector, reports Alam Al-Yawm daily quoting Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs Mansour Al-Mansour.
Disclosing that Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Jamal Al-Dousari has been appointed committee chairman, Al-Mansour explained the amended decisions will be issued within six months to ensure the proper implementation of the new law.  He said the existing laws in the labor sector are still applicable provided they do not contradict any provision of the new labor law, which took effect immediately after its publication in the official gazette last month.