KUWAIT CITY, March 11: Around 60 Jahra Labor Department employees gathered Thursday in front of the office of Social Affairs and Labor Minister Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi in protest against a decision to terminate their services as they have been absent from work for seven months.
One of the protesters explained a number of employees did not report for work from June 2009 until January 2010 but they were not warned about the period of absence — a violation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) law.
According to this law, a warning must be issued to employees in case they have been absent for 15 consecutive days or 30 nonconsecutive days. The concerned employees were surprised when they were notified about their termination or transfer. They were also asked to return the salaries they received during their absence — about KD 9,000 each.
Another protester accused the deputy department manager of being biased as he allegedly issued decisions to transfer those who disagreed with him to marginal departments. He claimed the deputy manager was a Physical Education teacher before he was appointed to his current post three years ago. He pointed out there were competent senior employees with 15 years in service at the time but they were not considered for the post.
Mefleh Al-Fadhli, another protester, disclosed they had earlier filed a complaint as a group but they were transferred to the Secretary Department four days after. He added they regard the department as a graveyard because there are about 40 employees inside a three-square meter room. He said he had a disagreement with the deputy manager, resulting in his transfer to the Renewal Department.
Al-Fadhli pointed out the decision affected 32 employees as some of them have been ordered to work in other areas. He asserted they are not required to sign their cards after official work hours in accordance with the CSC law. He said 76 out of the 120 men and 350 women employed at the department have been fired.
Falah Al-Darah, also a protester, revealed an ‘undesirable’ employee is usually referred to the Coordination Department, indicating the deputy manager transferred 40 employees to this department only within five days.
 He lamented the academic degree holders have been transferred to other departments to give way to the relatives and friends of some officials. He added the section head handles the affairs of the department alone and this is against the law.
On the other hand, sources from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor explained the employees who filed a complaint against the deputy manager were fired due to administrative violations, particularly failure to meet the specified conditions for recruitment.