MP IN PUSH TO EXPAND EARLY RETIREMENT PACKAGE – Equality nod to Kuwaiti wives of foreigners – Rent allowance hit again

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 17: The parliamentary Women and Family Affairs Committee has approved the proposal to treat Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis equal to those married to their compatriots.

Speaking to reporters after the committee meeting on Wednesday, Rapporteur MP Mohammed Tana revealed they discussed issues concerning these women and their children, including those with special needs.

He pointed out many people are clueless when it comes to issues related to the residency of children born to Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis. He said Deputy Director General for Residency Affairs at the Interior Ministry Abdullah Al-Hajiri clarified all the procedures, so the meeting yielded positive results.

On children with disabilities, Tana explained the law states that the handicapped children of Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis shall be treated like those whose parents are Kuwaitis throughout their lifetime.

However, this article was not implemented so it was discussed with the official from the Residency Affairs Department and the latter expressed willingness to push for the application of the law, he added.

In another development, Tana disclosed the committee also talked about the proposal to increase the rent allowance for female expatiate teachers in public schools from KD 60 to KD 150.

He considers the proposal illogical and unacceptable, especially since Kuwaiti women married to non-Kuwaitis are suffering in their own country while the expatriates are given preference over the citizens.

Meanwhile, MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji has stressed the need to expand the coverage of the early retirement package which should be offered to employees in ministries and other government agencies, not just a limited number of institutions.

He added, “Many Kuwaiti employees who served their country for several years have benefitted from the early retirement package. We know that employees in other institutions want to do the same but they have not been offered the package; hence, the need to ensure justice for all.”

He pointed out some experts in the financial field believe that the early retirement option is good for the State budget. He said such steps are necessary for the nation to cope with continues oil price decline whereas underscoring the importance of searching for better alternatives without touching the income of citizens

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

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