KUWAIT CITY, Aug 23: The Labor Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has prepared a number of proposals to develop the labor market and regulate procedures in the non-government sector, in accordance with the visions for the coming period and the new private sector labor law (number 6/2010), reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.

Sources disclosed the Government Manpower and Restructuring Program (GMRP) presented some proposals, which include the amendment of decrees that specify fees for the processing of work permits in the private and oil sectors. 

Sources confirmed the sector intends to submit a report to the ministry leadership on the issuance of several decisions to protect he rights of expatriate workers, as part of its commitment to improve the condition of these workers.  Sources have also unveiled a plan to limit the transfer of commercial visit visas to work permits in the private sector, in addition to a regular assessment of the needs of the sector to identify obstacles to its progress.

Sources said the sector called for activating the role of committees from the ministry and other concerned authorities, as well as the formation of a panel consisting of members from the ministry and its interior and health counterparts to evaluate the procedures followed in checking if the expatriates are infected with contagious diseases. Sources affirmed the sector has stressed the need to require expatriates to undergo the required medical tests for the issuance of a visit visa or transferring it to a work permit.

Sources revealed the sector is also looking at the possibility of establishing an autonomous body, which will be tasked to study future legislative and organizational aspects of the labor market. Sources explained this entity might be part of the proposed manpower authority, which is expected to be established in the beginning of next year.

Sources stated the sector will also specify a mechanism to encourage honest competition among employers to stop the treatment of workers as commodities being exchanged among sponsors, as this practice has tarnished the image of Kuwait in the international community. Sources added the sector is also contemplating on increasing the number of activities exempted from a decision on banning the issuance of work permits, in accordance with the specified conditions.
Sources disclosed the sector also suggested specifying the maximum number of years the expatriates are allowed to reside in the country.

In another development, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) has demanded Kuwait to approve a number of the proposed reforms in its human rights file. It has also forwarded a letter in this regard to the ministries of Social Affairs, Labor and Interior.

Sources revealed the UNCHR recommended the immediate appointment of women in the judiciary. Sources said the commission also affirmed its readiness to provide Kuwait with the required technical and legal assistance to address the problems of around 120,000 Bedouns in the country.
The commission also recommended inclusion of the domestic workers in the new private sector labor law to protect their rights, in addition to some visions on the sponsorship system and the way of replacing with rules in line with the international criteria and the Norway accord.
It also called for the establishment of a national authority to handle human rights issues and conduct workshops to enhance the skills of workers.