KUWAIT CITY, April 17: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor will take new measures to secure the release of all the unpaid salaries of laborers working on government contracts to control the regular demonstrations witnessed in the country recently, reports Al-Rai daily.

The daily quoting Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Mohammed Al-Afasi disclosed the new mechanism specifies the regulations by which the companies holding government contracts will be required to pay the salaries of workers via local banks instead of handing over cash. The decision specifies a minimum salary of KD 60, and it also applies to all workers in the private sector.

Meanwhile, Al-Afasi confirmed the ministry will suspend the file of any company which does not comply with the decision beginning next month, reports Al-Qabas daily.

He stressed the automation system will control corruption in the face of existing hindrances, and added it will also put an end to visa trading. He said the system will not exempt anyone from its regulations and conditions. The transactions with non-complying companies will be suspended, while the system will uncover illusory companies and others who are manipulating the laborers.

He noted the ministry in just one year has managed to reduce the number of expatriate personnel by 200,000, while a specified department directly affiliated to the minister will be responsible for assessing the required personnel for each company. Also, there will be committees to scrutinize transactions from that department.

Moreover, there will be monthly analysis of the companies to ensure the actual number of personnel.