‘MEW to construct smart building for the Information System Center’ – Govt circular on dress code draws criticism
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KUWAIT CITY, May 19: The Ministry of Electricity and Water intends to construct a smart building for the Information System Center as part of the development program that aims to centralize its information system and to provide suitable environment for main servers and storage network in Al-Salam, Hawally Governorate at an estimated cost of KD 14 million.
Sources from the ministry disclosed the project includes establishment of computer labs for professional and practical trainings, halls for meetings and workshops, administration offices and an operation unit equipped with secure information network against security breaches.
Sources said the information center will be designed in such a way that allows horizontal and vertical expansion in order to cover the growing needs of the ministry, in line with the government’s electronic requirements and adaptation of service-oriented architecture (SOA).
Sources explained this project will reduce emerging cost for reutilization of similar systems in the Information Technology departments in various ministries, in addition to increasing the life expectancy of the equipment by providing a safe environment with relatively low temperature for the main servers and storage units through the use of virtual simulation technology.
People have criticized a circular issued by the assistant secretary general of a government department, instructing employees not to attend to anyone who dresses indecently, reports Al-Qabas daily.
A source pointed out the critics regarded the circular as a measure to impose social norms on others.
He said the circular was issued about a year ago but it still posted at the entrance of the department. He disclosed the circular reads, “Employees are implored not to attend to anyone who dresses in a way which contradicts societal norm.” He said those who visited the department were perturbed asking whether the senior officials and their employees want to impose the manner of dressing on people.
Some of the visitors were of the view that the circular could serve as an escape route for employees to disrupt the processing of transactions under the pretext that the visitor is dressed inappropriately.
They wondered if the dress code of the concerned assistant secretary general is in consonance with that of the employees.
They argued the claim that the circular aims to maintain dignity of departments and government agencies in terms of values, traditions and norms is a ruse, because there is no link between this objective and the way people dress.
They were even confused as to how the officials will determine appropriate dressing which is not measured by any standard.
By Muhammad Ghanim
Al-Seyassah Staff
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