KUWAIT CITY, April 27: MP Saleh Ashour has warned against rushing approval of the privatization draft bill as it might have a negative impact on the country, reports Al-Rai daily. In a recent press statement, Ashour clarified approval of the bill in its first reading does not mean total acceptance of the proposal as discussions are still ongoing in preparation for the second reading. He said the government and MPs, who voted in favor of the bill in its first reading, must be held liable in case of dire consequences in the future as it includes articles that contravene the Constitution. Underlining the significance of protecting the rights of Kuwaiti employees in public institutions covered by the bill, Ashour pointed out, “We will not tolerate any unjustified dismissal of Kuwaiti workers in private companies.” He appealed to his colleagues not to pass the bill in its current format, considering the disappointing results of the privatization of fuel stations earlier.

Exclusion
Ashour called for exclusion of the oil, health and education sectors from the privatization process, while insisting that the government should own ‘golden’ shares in the privatized companies to protect public money and the rights of Kuwaiti employees. He also recommended extension of the contract of Kuwaiti workers in privatized institutions from five to 10 years and maintain high percentage of Kuwaiti employees in the private sector as per the regulations of the Higher Council for Privatization. Meanwhile, some lawmakers have described the privatization draft bill as ridiculous and a scheme to allow a clique of beneficiaries to hijack national wealth, threatening to stand in the way of the bill even if it means instigation of public demonstrations, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

Speaking at a seminar entitled ‘No to Privatization at the Expense of Citizens’ organized recently by Kuwait Trade Union Federation (KTUF), chairperson of the federation Salim Shabeb Al-Ajmi contended the privatization process has failed in capitalist nations, while labor sectors are the worst hit. He cited incessant protests to demand salary increment, amendment of labor laws, as well as improvement of health and social services, in several nations. “The lawmakers should bear the constitutional and national responsibilities by blocking the bill which poses a grave threat to the future of this country. I can assure you the labor sector will do everything in its capability to stand firm against the bill,” the labor leader affirmed.

Disclosed
In the meantime, MP Musallam Al-Barrak disclosed 23 lawmakers have requested for return of the privatization report to the Financial Affairs Committee for further study, but the speaker allegedly ignored the call. He pointed out the issue has reached a stage in which public opinion should be sought and prevail. He said the Popular Labor Bloc and other parliamentary groups have presented amendments to the bill, especially Article 152 which prohibits privatization of oil, gas, natural resources and public facilities. He emphasized, “These resources are originally owned by Kuwaitis and the ownership should not be transferred to other parties.”

MP Ali Al-Deqbasi expressed concern over the plight of national workers, especially those who have been terminated from private companies. He lamented the government has failed to ‘Kuwaitize’ the public sector, since numerous Kuwaiti applicants are still waiting for a response from the Civil Service Commission (CSC). He wondered what will be the future of Kuwaitis under this bill. He warned the approval of this bill may cause economic and social problems due to a dearth of job opportunities. “The labor leaders should not fold arms and allow things to move towards the wrong direction, because a report has revealed that unemployment in Kuwait has risen to an unprecedented level,” the lawmaker stressed.

Meantime, Privatization is not like a magic wand that can turn the local economy around but it is a package of similar ideas to improve it, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting participants in a seminar organized by the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM) recently. Under the slogan ‘The Country and the Citizen in View of Privatization’, the seminar was aimed at eliminating negative features of the privatization draft bill and adopting the positive aspects.

Participants discussed the means to guarantee that the privatization process does not include the development projects sponsored by the government since the oil era and protect the employment privileges of nationals. Writer Ahmad Al-Dayyen argued the problem is the conflict of interests among different social categories, not development or allowing the private sector to invest in the country. On the other hand, Dr Ali Al-Musa said the open discussions on disagreements over the bill reflect the democracy that Kuwait enjoys at the moment.