KUWAIT CITY, April 16: There is a need to link the privatization bill to the problem of restructuring workforce, so that there is a balance of Kuwaiti manpower in the public and private sectors, noted economist Jassem Al-Saadoun told Arrouiah daily.
Kuwaitis’ tendency to join only the public sector and avoid the private sector has harmed the country’s economy; hence, while approving the privatization law, it should be ensured that private sector is made attractive to national manpower, he noted.
“The government faces the problem of finding employment to 77 percent of Kuwaitis and the number will increase in the next 15 years,” said Al-Saadoun, adding they have to be absorbed in the private sector. He also mentioned that oil exports cover 94 percent of state’s expenses.
Faults
The economist said faults in the Kuwaiti economy can be corrected by reducing the role of public sector and transferring some of its responsibilities to the private sector. 
Meanwhile, Minister of Communications and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Dr Mohammed Al-Baseeri asserted that the privatization bill is not new, but has been on the National Assembly’s agenda since 1993, reports Al-Qabas daily.
He said the government’s experience in privatization without a concrete law had led to lots of arguments and doubts; hence, it is necessary to have a proper law. Al-Baseeri said the government listened to the perspectives of lawmakers with respect and appreciation.
In the meantime, MP Khalid Al-Tahous denied reports about friction among members of Popular Labor Bloc and said every lawmaker has the freedom to express his or her opinion on any issue, reports Al-Wasat daily.
Rumors about differences among bloc members emerged after the bloc’s head MP Ahmed Al-Saadoun approved the privatization bill during its first reading while other members, including spokesman MP Musallam Al-Barrak, opposed it. “Nevertheless, the bloc is united on the stance of not selling petroleum sector and even Al-Saadoun agrees with us,” he noted.
The lawmaker said they will never agree to sell the country’s petroleum wealth under any circumstance.
Protect
Meanwhile, the Women Affairs Committee report presented to the Parliament recently is part of the panel’s commitment to protect the basic rights of women, including their right to obtain jobs, which has been abused for decades, reports Al-Anba daily quoting MP Dr Maasouma Al-Mubarak.
Confirming the panel will also focus on the housing welfare and social insurance rights of women, Al-Mubarak stressed the committee is keen on overcoming obstacles to continue its fight for the rights of Kuwaiti women.  She added the panel’s enthusiasm is derived from its belief on the need to defend the rights of women.
In the meantime, MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan defended the Negative Phenomena Committee, emphasizing it does not limit freedoms.  He clarified when the Islamists joined the panel many people thought it was formed to curtail their freedom; hence, the scathing attacks against it.  He stressed there is no reason for the public to fear the committee as its role is limited to studying social phenomena, not legislation.  He advised the public to react to the decision of the Parliament, not the statements of the committee, since the legislature has the final say on various issues.
Al-Duwaisan considers the dual citizenship issue one of the most negative phenomena in the Kuwaiti society.  He underlined the need to take a strong decision on the issue and unity among the people.
In an unrelated development, several MPs have allegedly hinted on their plan to grill Minister of Electricity and Water Bader Al-Shuraiaan on the breakdown of power stations during summer 2007. Sources disclosed the grilling points will include unstudied decisions taken by the ministry and other relevant authorities, reports Al-Shahid daily.
Moreover, Al-Dar daily has quoted some MPs as saying that they fully support the proposed referral of the Jaber Stadium case to the Audit Bureau for investigation on the alleged irregularities in the design phase of the project.
MP Ali Al-Omair confirmed many lawmakers support the suggestion as they want to know the truth, especially since the Public Authority for Youth and Sports has pointed accusatory fingers at the Ministry of Public Works, claiming the latter committed mistakes in the construction phase.
MP Faisal Al-Duwailah agreed on the need to refer alleged violations in the Jaber Stadium project and Ministry of Information to the bureau as it is an expert in probing anomalies in government institutions.