KUWAIT CITY, March 6: Results of a comparative study conducted by the World Bank recently on salaries of citizens in the region revealed that Kuwaitis receive higher salaries than the nationals of other countries in this part of the world, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.
The bank has warned the Kuwaiti government against approving any proposal to increase the salaries of citizens while the country depends solely on oil as its main source of income. It has highlighted the fact that 84 percent of oil revenues mentioned in the first chapter of the budget has been allocated for salaries; hence, the need for Kuwait to look for other sources of income to meet the requirements which will be stipulated in this chapter in the future.
This study has sparked controversies in the local scene, especially since discussions on 37 salary increase requests are still ongoing. Sources from the government have vehemently denied rumors about the alleged plan to increase salaries of citizens employed in the public and private sectors.  Sources clarified the Civil Service Commission (CSC) had earlier held a series of meetings under the chairmanship of Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and acting CSC chairman Sheikh Dr Mohammad Al-Sabah and in the presence of Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali to discuss the World Bank report but they did not tackle any salary increment for citizens.
Sources also unveiled the government’s plan to evaluate the fees charged for various services, but this requires the amendment or cancellation of some laws, including a law issued in 1992 which prohibits increasing fees for services provided by the country.
Sources affirmed the need to look for alternative sources of income is included in the development plan of the government. Sources added the executive is keen on actualizing its objectives in the next four years.