MPs challenge tough conditions for leave encashment

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 12, (Agencies): The government’s recent unveiling of leave encashment terms for state employees is facing growing opposition from lawmakers who find them to be overly restrictive. Among the contested terms is the limitation of leave encashment to Kuwaiti civil servants, valid only once every 10 years per employee. Lawmakers, including MP Abdul Karim Al Kandari, argue that the 10-year restriction practically renders leave encashment unattainable.

Al Kandari expressed his concern, stating, “The Civil Service Commission’s amendment of eligibility rules by making it conditional for one time every 10 years means unofficially putting on hold the availability of this exchange. It bets on the time factor. The commission has to go back on this amendment and stop playing with civil servants’ rights.” MP Abdullah Fahad criticized what he termed as “crippling conditions” and suggested that the new rule deliberately undermines the rights of Kuwaiti civil servants. He emphasized that such policies, tightening the grip on citizens amid economic challenges, will not be accepted.

Additionally, MP Mubarak Al Tasha called for a rephrasing of the controversial amendment to alleviate the burdens on Kuwaitis. He argued, “The 10-year condition for encashing leave is invalid because it contradicts rights gained by civil servants in general.” The recently introduced regulations by the Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission also require eligible employees to have received at least a “very good” evaluation in the last three performance assessments and worked at the same government agency for a minimum of three years before being entitled to the leave-for-cash swap, and not have faced disciplinary penalties.

Leave encashment has been a subject of public debate in Kuwait, with the government allowing civil servants to be compensated for their unused leave in April of the previous year. The scheme reportedly extends to all government employees, including expatriates, who constitute around 3.2 million of Kuwait’s 4.6 million population.

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