KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: MP Khalil Al-Saleh disclosed on Saturday plans to form a parliamentary ‘development bloc’ that will work on “effective development legislation that could be realistically implemented” to curb the executive authority’s influence on the Assembly’ voting.

Meanwhile, MP Taher Al-Failakawi of the Human Rights and Bedoun Affairs committee criticized the Bedoun protest held on Friday. He said the protesting is not the way to solve Bedoun issues, stressing that “there is evidence that the majority do not deserve citizenship as they do not meet the requirements”.
On another note, MP Askar Al-Enezi submitted a proposal to establish an ‘unemployment insurance fund’ under the Public Institute for Social Securities (PASS). According to the proposal, the fund is allocated for workers in the public sector and those over 50 years of age and heading towards retirement and those who work without salaries. Those who are registered in the insurance fund have a right for a salary not exceeding six month until a proper occupation is found.

Agencies add:
 First Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humuod promised to open a population structure file during the closed-door meeting on the security situation in the country, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.

Sources said the lawmakers had stressed the need to address the demographic structure issue, considering the increasing number of expatriates who now constitute more than 50 percent of Kuwait’s population. Sources revealed Sheikh Ahmad confirmed in the meeting that the ministry is aware of the population size of some nationalities and the dangerous repercussions of the phenomenon.

Sources confirmed the minister assured the lawmakers that the government is serious in its bid to reduce the population of certain nationalities. He also pointed out the loopholes in the recruitment of foreign manpower like the issuance of commercial visit visas and the procedures followed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in residence transfers.

Sources added the lawmakers highlighted the fact that the population of Kuwaitis decreased from 32 to 31 percent, while the crimes involving expatriates have been increasing at an alarming rate. Sources said the lawmakers stressed the need to reduce the number of people from certain nations.

Sources disclosed the lawmakers also expressed disappointment over the ministry’s slackness towards the issuance of driving licenses to marginalized laborers whose salaries do not qualify them to obtain such licenses as per the law. Sources said the lawmakers attributed the worsening traffic problems to the growing number of cars on the roads.