KUWAIT CITY, Oct 7: The government should increase the salaries of citizens employed in the public sector to help them cope with the rising cost of living in the country, National Assembly Secretary MP Dulaihi Al-Hajri said Thursday.
Wondering why the government seems not keen on reviewing the salaries of Kuwaiti public sector workers despite a law in this regard, Al-Hajri urged the executive to take into consideration the living condition of the citizens, especially since the prices of basic commodities have continued to increase while the salaries are still the same.
Warning the government’s failure to implement the law properly might be detrimental to the middle class, Al-Hajri pointed out the inability of the executive authority to enforce the consumer protection law and regulate prices in the local market might exacerbate the financial problems of Kuwaitis, particularly those with limited income. He believes there should be no problem in granting salary increment to the national workers, considering they live in a rich country with abundant resources that they should enjoy.
Al-Hajri asked the government to conduct a comprehensive study on the job descriptions of state employees, classify them, and identify the appropriate increment for each category. He affirmed the Parliament will push for the approval of the proposal to increase the basic salary and children’s allowance to help the Kuwaiti families overcome their financial burdens.
On the other hand, the Popular Labor Bloc rejected Thursday the measures taken by the government recently to prevent the citizens from participating in seminars or public gatherings.
Contending that Article 44 of the Constitution guarantees the rights of citizens to organize public gatherings, the bloc stressed this article grants the citizens right to hold or participate in such events without asking permission from the authorities, provided they gather peacefully and adhere to the morality code of the country.
In its statement, the bloc asserted the Constitutional Court issued a verdict on May 1, 2006 on a petition to amend law number 65/1979 to allow the citizens to organize public gatherings or seminars in line with Article 44 of the Constitution.
“Kuwaitis exercise their right to hold public gatherings in accordance with the law but the Ministry of Interior has continued to use its power to prevent citizens from attending or organizing seminars in diwaniyas and other venues. It has been taking harsh measures, to the extent of blocking the roads, in order to stop the people from participating in these events,” the bloc added.
The bloc also stressed the need to put an end to the abusive acts of those in power and hold them responsible in case they commit mistakes by using constitutional tools to protect the rights of citizens and guarantee their freedom.

High prices keep away fish-lovers : Sharq fish market saw dwindling number of customers as the prices of fish and other sea food kept fluctuating during the week. Despite being a delicacy and pleasing to the palate not many people turned up to buy fish. The prices rose sky-high, especially the pomfret, hammour and other local and imported fish. A common man, most of them expats, finds it difficult to go for the commodity. Eating good quality fish has become a luxury. Being a staple diet locally citizens get their requirements after rigorous bargaining. Asian and Arab expats opt for cheaper species according to the depth of their pockets.