KUWAIT CITY, Aug 9: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has not suspended the issuance of work permits to certain expatriates hired from abroad, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily quoting Undersecretary Mohammad Al-Kandari.
The undersecretary explained the ministry still issues work permits for expatriates recruited from other countries to work in 20 sectors, including private schools, hospitals, agriculture, fishing, hotels and tourism companies, among others.
On stopping the transfer of visit visas to work permits in the government sector, Al-Kandari disclosed the ministry is still discussing the issue with its Interior counterpart. He said both ministries have agreed on the need to stop such transfers but they have yet to specify the date of implementation. He affirmed the two ministries are working together to determine the appropriate date of implementation in the interest of both the workers and the employers. He added the date will be announced in advance to give the concerned parties enough time to correct their status.
In another development, Al-Kandari said the teams tasked to monitor charity activities in the country have not recorded any violations since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Affirming the inspection teams continue to check various charity organizations throughout the country, Al-Kandari said these teams have been closely monitoring the collection of donations in the headquarters of the charity societies, mosques and other areas. He hopes the teams will not find any violation until the end of Ramadan. He also lauded the charity societies for their full cooperation with the ministry to ensure the success of the Ramadan donation collection campaign.

Moreover, Al-Anba daily has reported that Deputy Premier, Minister of Justice, Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi recently formed a fact-finding committee to probe into the alleged irregularities in the Family and Nursery Department at the Social Care Sector in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
Sources revealed the committee consists of Counselor Yousef Al-Motawa’a, Dr Souad Al-Bishr, Dr Hamoud Al-Qasha’an, Dr Hassan Meeki, Mona Al-Mutairi and representatives of the Voluntary Work Center (VWC). Sources said the minister has instructed the panel to verify reports published in several daily newspapers on the supposed malpractices of the department staff, in addition to the evaluation of the social and psychological procedures followed in the sector and finding ways to improve services or facilities.