KUWAIT CITY, May 9:  Some lawmakers and members of workers syndicates in various ministries have urged the MPs to take up their responsibility by rejecting the privatization draft bill or tender their resignation, affirming they will do whatever they can to prevent approval of the bill and the oil workers will be “the final nail to this proposal.”  They made this assertion in a demonstration, held under the slogan “I Will not Sell My Country” in front of the Parliament Sunday.  Kuwait University Law Professor Dr Saqer Al-Ajmi said some lawmakers are planning to sell treasures of the country either intentionally or otherwise.  He stated Kuwait has signed a United Nations treaty against corruption, which guarantees Article Seven stipulating that lawmakers should not have conflicts of interests. 

However, some members of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee at the Parliament own huge shares in companies listed on the stock exchange, while many others are planning to buy shares in oil sector.  He asserted this action also contravenes Article 12 of the Constitution, which bans sale of some facilities that prioritize the private sector interests above that of the public sector.  He explained the Constitution states the private sector should not own less than 35 percent of the shares, while the government shares should not be more than 20 percent and this could only be one percent.  He added Article 152 discusses investments, while Article 21 clearly prohibits sale of natural resources.  He stressed the need to strictly comply with the Constitution and employment of Kuwaitis is mandatory for five years, after which the private sector is no longer under this obligation.

Chairperson of Kuwait Labor Unions Federation Abdulrahman Al-Sumait outrightly rejected the privatization draft bill, contending “there is no need to beautify the ugly face of privatization.”  He argued if the privatization of the oil sector does not guarantee golden shares, the traders will be stronger and the government will not be able to hold them accountable.  He pointed out the privatization draft bill is like confession of the government’s failure to manage state institutions, rather than implementation of reforms.  “Are private companies more capable of managing these facilities?  We will hold the lawmakers responsible and they should resign if they cannot function accordingly,” he concluded.