KUWAIT CITY, June 10: As the Eid Al- Adha holiday ended on Monday, most government sector employees -- with few exceptions -- resumed work in ministries, agencies and government institutions on Tuesday. While attendance and absence rates varied from one sector to another; a noteworthy observation was that attendance was significantly higher than absence -- even higher than in previous years. Some sources estimated the attendance rate at 75 percent of the workforce. They suggested that the reason behind the increase in government attendance rates could be the decisions issued to enhance discipline in the sector; including the mandatory third fingerprint or known as the ‘flexible fingerprint’, which began implementation in mid-August through a resolution from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Sources pointed out that the absence from work and ‘closing the week’ phenomena are now at their lowest rates, compared to the situation before the implementation of the aforementioned resolution. Sources said this proves the effectiveness of the resolution; which has contributed to regulating attendance at work, promoting the value of commitment and optimal utilization of working hours, and preventing some people from dropping out of work.

Sources also confirmed that most absences were due to sickness with medical certificates, emergency leave or regular leave; indicating that some ministries and agencies -- particularly those with a service nature and interact with the public -- naturally experience high attendance under all circumstances, especially since the holiday is preceded by clear and specific instructions regarding the necessity of being present after the holiday and regulating employee attendance.

Despite the commitment of most employees to resume work, the newspaper noted some complaints about what they considered “short vacation period”. Nevertheless, a joyful atmosphere prevailed in many offices and corridors; where Eid greetings were exchanged, sweets and dates were distributed, incense was burned, and Arabic coffee was served. Employees also spent their breaks discussing details of their vacations and the best restaurants and markets they visited during the Eid holiday.

Following is a closer look at the situation in a number of ministries and government agencies: The corridors of the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy in South Surra witnessed an influx of employees who gathered around the fingerprint machines since early morning on Tuesday. Fingerprints were taken easily and conveniently, given the availability of fingerprint machines in many locations in the ministry. Sources from the ministry indicated that employee attendance rate was around 75 percent in various sectors, departments and divisions; disclosing the absences are due to sick leave or regular leave.

Sources confirmed that the ministry is keen on ensuring the presence of employees in order to avoid the disruption of workflow in the ministry and at its external locations; particularly the customer affairs offices, given the nature of work at these offices and their interaction with the public. Sources said this is in addition to electricity and water production plants, which require the presence of employees during summer. Sources stated that there are clear instructions for regulating workflow in the sectors and controlling employee attendance during shifts in sectors, departments and technical divisions, including electricity and water emergencies and the hotline that receives reports on power outages and malfunctions.

Sources added the ministry is preparing to launch initiatives to enhance compliance and discipline. Meanwhile, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs Fatima Al-Salama revealed that the attendance rate of employees after the Eid Al-Adha holiday reached 50 percent. She said work is underway to monitor job discipline and a gradual return to full performance in various sectors and departments. She affirmed that the ministry is committed to ensure the continuity of service provision despite the low attendance rate on the first day after the holiday. She emphasized that there is direct follow up by administrative leaders to ensure the employees’ commitment to resume work and carry out their tasks in accordance with established regulations. She added the ministry is working hard to provide an encouraging work environment and it is preparing to launch a number of initiatives in the coming period to enhance commitment and discipline, as well as raise the efficiency of job performance to achieve the goals of the ministry in serving the community. She stated that the ministry puts importance to job commitment, as it is the foundation of the success of any service institution. She disclosed that the remedial steps include gradual administrative procedures to ensure regular workflow, achieving quality and speed in meeting the needs of citizens and expatriates who benefit from the services of the ministry.

On the other hand, the courts at all levels (criminal, civil, commercial, personal status) and the Public Prosecution in all governorates resumed full operations on Tuesday. According to reliable sources, attendance at the Ministry of Justice and the courts reached about 70 percent; with judicial and administrative departments operating at full capacity to receive clients and deliberate on cases in the court docket. At the same time, prosecutors in the governorates resumed receiving reports, conducting examinations of detainees and conducting patrols, with urgent complaints being given priority.

Moreover, Ministry of Interior employees resumed work in all departments and service centers throughout the country. Employees at the Residency, Nationality and Passports Affairs general departments resumed work amidst remarkable commitment and high spirits to complete transactions efficiently and quickly. Departments and centers witnessed a high turnout of employees, reflecting their commitment to complete transactions and facilitate procedures for citizens and expatriates. The ministry previously announced that the Nationality and Passports Affairs General Department would receive women whose citizenship was revoked from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm during the Eid Al-Adha holiday; and would handover around 4,520 out of a total of 7,730 passports. The department worked at full capacity to handover passports to these women and facilitate their status adjustments within the specified period.

Also, on the first working day after the Eid Al-Adha holiday, the work schedule of officials and employees at the Ministry of Oil, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries proceeded normally, with no reported absences, especially since oil sector employees usually work during holidays and other occasions, given the nature of the sector. Sources stressed that “the system implemented by oil companies and approved by KPC does not permit or accept laziness at all.” They explained that despite the provision of facilities and privileges to employees in the oil sector, there are regulations on accountability in cases of unexcused absence. They added “the nationals working in the oil sector are up to the task and possess high professional capabilities.”

As usual, the Ministry of Health was not affected by the absence of its employees on the first day after the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Ministry employees resumed work in various sectors and departments; particularly those working in hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and related technical departments, including laboratories, radiology and others. Sources confirmed to the newspaper that the smart fingerprint attendance system played a significant role in ensuring employees adhere to official working hours, as doctors and administrators are keen to be present at work at the specified times.

By Mohammad Ghanem, Fares Ghaleb, Jaber Al-Hamoud, Munif Naif, Najeh Bilal, Marwa Al-Bahrawi and Mohammed Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff