Visas issued for nationals of five countries reach 47,826 – Lawmakers cry out for accountability
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 27: Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah revealed that the number of Iranians, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Afghans who obtained visit visas or residencies or family visas from Dec 11, 2016 to July 7, 2017 reached 47,826, reports Al-Rai daily.
He explained that the number of visas issued to people of these five nationalities to work in the public sector was 984. The number of visas issued to them for domestic labor was 18,016. From these, 17,089 visas were issued to Bangladeshis, five to Iraqis, six to Iranians, 38 to Pakistanis and 17 to Afghans.
Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah, in response to a question asked by MP Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, said the entry visas granted to people of these nationalities include visas for working in the public sector, visas for working in the private sector, visas for domestic work, commercial visit visas, family dependant visas, government visit visas, family visit visas, embassy visit visas and tourist visas.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has officially declared the Kuwait Society for Following up and Evaluating Parliamentary Performance according to decision number 67A/2017 issued by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Subaih, reports Al-Rai daily.
The society’s functions include following up the internal and external works of the Parliament, specifically the activities of the MPs; in addition to assessing the Parliament’s commitment in dealing with national issues and developing democracy and transparency.
The society aims to inform citizens and civil society organizations about the parliamentary activities through brochures, publications and symposiums held by the society. It also aims to strengthen national unity by raising awareness of citizens on the supervision and oversight roles of the Parliament; improve self-evaluation and correction of errors; and encourage social dialogue/conversation and cooperation among all political powers.
Meanwhile, the ministry officially declared as well the charitable organizations that represent government and non-governmental institutions – whether local, Arab or international. The objective is to enhance the charitable role and protect the interests of charitable societies. Decision number 56A/2017 stipulates upgrading charitable organizations and enhancing the charitable culture in the country.
Furthermore, the political scene in the country has been witnessed to series of confrontations between the executive and the legislative authorities, reports Al-Anba daily.
Needless to say, political enthusiasm has led most of the lawmakers to cry out for accountability although parliamentary recess has been extended until the third quarter of October, and the recent issue of expatriate employment and other youth related issues are expected to take the lead in the next parliamentary round.
In this context, MP Al-Humaidi Al-Subai’e has agreed with some of his colleagues to submit three grilling proposals against three ministers. The first proposal is against the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh. The second is against the Minister of Electricity, Water and Oil Essam Al-Marzouq, and the last one involves the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh respectively.
The lawmaker explained that all three grilling proposals will be presented in order. He also said another point will be added to the four points raised in the grilling against Al-Sabeeh, indicating the fifth point is about a petition against two citizens he described as the victims of ‘despotism’ of the minister. He reiterated instructing his lawyers to defend the citizens in question on their referral to the Public Prosecution.
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