KUWAIT CITY, March 17: The National Assembly deliberated Wednesday on the proper attire for women engaged in political work and other pertinent issues like the privatization process, irregularities at Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC), salary increment and Experts Law.
Controversies surrounding the use of ‘hijab’ (women’s veil) resurfaced when the government, through Deputy Premier for Legal Affairs and Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Rashed Al-Hammad, responded to a question in this regard.  He pointed out, “The Constitutional Court deals with the interpretation of the Election Law on the legal side, while the ‘fatwa’ (edict) of the Awqaf Ministry obligates women to wear the veil.  Both the Parliament and government have a responsibility to ensure proper implementation of the law. “
Reacting to the statement of Al-Hammad, MP Mohammad Hayef argued Kuwait is an Islamic country as stipulated in its Constitution but the government has failed to implement the Islamic Sharia, particularly the provision on women’s veil.  He slammed the government for giving flimsy excuses for its inability to appoint veiled female minister or require women in the Cabinet to wear the ‘hijab’.
Hayef went on to say the Ministry of Awqaf as well as the Fatwa and Legislation Department should respond to questions regarding the proper attire of women in politics as they are the authorities in charge of the issue.  He asserted the government should strictly implement edicts from the Fatwa Department.  He then urged the latter to issue a ‘fatwa’ on the proper attire of women, pointing out that women entered the Parliament through a verdict issued by the Constitutional Court.  He added this court looked into the electoral challenge only, not the constitutionality of the Election Law.
In another development, the Parliament discussed the Experts Law and MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun claimed the government has rejected the law due to the presentation of 37 salary increase requests.  He said he has prepared a proposal to equalize the salaries of employees in similar fields.
MP Khaled Al-Sultan stressed, “We had earlier asked the government to ensure equality of salaries among Kuwaitis.  Since this law will lead to financial constraints, the only solution is to grant bonuses to experts according to their performance at work.”
MP Saleh Ashour emphasized the need to reach an agreement with the government to reject the 37 salary increase requests, admitting it was a mistake to grant salary increment to the teaching staff of Kuwait University (KU) and Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) as it encouraged others to present similar requests.  He asked the government to review the existing pay scales in ministries and other state institutions.
MP Faisal Al-Muslim expressed his surprise over the government’s decision to endorse some pay raise requests, while neglecting that of the experts.  He wondered why the government estimated a total cost of KD6 billion, since they have specified terms of the allowances that will be granted only to Kuwaitis.
MP Abdulrahman Al-Anjari said it is illogical to reject any request for increasing the salaries of experts and it is pointless to incorporate the pension with the end of service benefits.  He lamented the Parliament has become like a charity organization because the MPs seem bent on presenting proposals to appease the citizens.  He went on to say some MPs want to give KD40 to the citizens, while others demand KD100 but they are actually ‘selling’ an illusion to the people.  
Meanwhile, 22 MPs asked Parliament Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi to add Article 61 to the Experts Law.  This article states that Kuwaitis in Experts Department with various fields of specialization shall receive monthly bonuses in accordance with their employment posts.
On the violations of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC),
MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun held Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah responsible for the irregularities at the corporation.  He underscored the need to open an investigation, alleging one of the members of the founding committee for privatization is a consultant at the minister’s office and CEO of a private establishment that intends to buy the companies which will be privatized.
Commenting on Al-Saadoun’s statement, Minister of Communications and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Mohammad Al-Baseeri affirmed the government will not allow anything to affect the transparency of the committee and hamper the privatization process.  He urged the lawmaker to provide documents to prove his allegation.
Al-Shamali, on the other hand, confirmed the consultant has been in service for several years and he is a model of morality and honesty.  He added he is willing to replace the consultant or any member of the founding committee in case of conflicts in interests.
MP Khaled Al-Sultan called for a strong stand on the irregularities in KAC, immediate transfer to the Investment Authority, and privatization in three years.
MP Adel Al-Saraawi underlined the significance of focusing on the evaluation process.  He pointed out the observations on KAC have been forwarded to the parliamentary Financial Affairs Committee.  He asked the government to consider these observations and advise the Parliament on the approval of the evaluation process.
MP Daifallah Buramiya asserted the anomalies uncovered at KAC have prompted the Parliament to approve the proposed privatization of the corporation to address the issue.
MP Abdulrahman Al-Anjari criticized the politicization of the KAC issue through the interference of the Parliament and government.  He slammed the old fleet of the corporation, indicating some of the KAC aircraft have been operational for the last 15 years, while other countries no longer use airplanes manufactured more than five years ago.  He also questioned the appointment of 1,500 employees for each aircraft, since other airlines have only 400 per aircraft.