KUWAIT: They stand at gas stations, their faces dripping with sweat. They work on construction sites, wrapping scarves around their heads to block the sun. They sweep streets, collect garbage, and deliver packages. While most people stay indoors to escape Kuwait’s extreme summer heat, these workers don’t have that option.

“It’s tiring, but what can we do?” said a gas station worker, when asked about enduring the intense temperatures. “This is the contract, and we have to follow the work conditions,” he added, noting that his job requires 12-hour shifts with just a 20-minute break. “We take turns resting – one of us goes into the room to cool off, then the other comes out to work.”

While Kuwait’s Ministerial Decision No. 535 of 2015 bans outdoor work between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm from June 1 to August 31, the heat doesn’t obey the clock. Temperatures often remain high outside those hours.

This reality has raised urgent concerns among human rights advocates, who say current protections fall short of addressing the full scope of risk that workers face on a daily basis.

Kuwait Society for Human Rights Chairman Khalid Al-Humaidi is among those calling for a stronger commitment to worker safety. He stresses that the midday ban is only part of the legal framework meant to protect outdoor laborers.

Ministerial Decision No. 198 of 2010, he notes, is far more comprehensive and should be more actively enforced. It requires employers to take a range of preventive measures, from providing sun-protective gear, gloves, and proper footwear, to ensuring uniforms are designed to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.

Al-Humaidi emphasized that cold drinking water must be provided in sufficient quantities, and rest areas must be well ventilated – or ideally air-conditioned – to give workers a chance to recover.

The law also places responsibility on employers to educate workers about the signs of heat exhaustion and ensure supervisors are trained to respond immediately when symptoms arise. These measures, according to Al-Humaidi, are an extension of Labor Law No. 6 of 2010 (regarding work in the private sector), which contains an entire chapter on occupational health and safety. And they are not optional extras.

Lack of enforcement

While laws exist on paper, Al-Humaidi pointed out that enforcement remains weak. Many employers, he explained, unknowingly violate these regulations simply because they are unaware of the ministerial decisions that form an integral part of the labor code. As a result, critical safety measures are often neglected, putting vulnerable workers at even greater risk during the summer months.

He also highlighted the importance of broader legal regulations that guide Kuwait’s labor framework. These include Ministerial Decision No. 208 of 2011, which outlines exposure limits and workplace safety standards, and Ministerial Decision No. 224 of 2014, which mandates clear safety signage in work areas. Kuwait’s commitment to labor rights extends internationally as well: the country has ratified 19 conventions from the International Labour Organization (ILO), including seven of the eight core principles that promote dignity, equality and safety at work. In 2022, the ILO further emphasized that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental right – one that must be upheld by all member states.

Yet the gap between Kuwait’s legal commitments and on-the-ground realities remains clear. Al-Humaidi is calling for immediate action: not only stricter monitoring and enforcement of labor laws but also increased awareness among employers and workers alike. “We need to stop thinking of safety as an added cost,” Al-Humaidi said. “It’s an investment in people. And people are the foundation of every workplace.”

NEOM: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Kuwaiti Prime Minister HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation in Neom on Sunday, as part of an official visit aimed at reinforcing the strong ties between the two Gulf neighbors. During the meeting, Sheikh Ahmad conveyed greetings from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, along with their best wishes for continued progress and prosperity in the kingdom.

The talks highlighted the deep-rooted cooperation between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening strategic partnership across various fields. “The visit is a valuable opportunity to enhance our strong relations and continue bilateral consultations on issues that serve the interests of both countries and peoples,” Sheikh Ahmad said in a statement upon his arrival in Neom.

He expressed deep appreciation for the Kingdom’s leadership, praising Saudi Arabia’s “wise policies and its well-known regional and international positions.” Discussions also touched on regional and global developments, including efforts to promote security and peace in the region and beyond.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries. On the Saudi side: Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid Al Saud, Ambassador to Kuwait; Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Saud, Minister of State and Cabinet Member; Assistant Finance Minister Hindi Al-Suhaimi; and Yazid Alhumied, Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at the Public Investment Fund.

On the Kuwaiti side: Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority; and Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority.

Upon arriving in Neom, Sheikh Ahmad was welcomed by senior Saudi officials, including Prince Turki bin Mohammed and Prince Sultan bin Saad, as well as Kuwait’s Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Riyadh Hamad Ibrahim Al-Salloum and Consul General in Jeddah and OIC representative Yousef Abdullah Al-Tunaib. — KUNA

KUWAIT: August 8, 2025 marks the 58th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – a dynamic regional organization that unites 10 Southeast Asian countries into a community of 680 million people. In the context of a rapidly changing world, ASEAN’s vision and identity have been constantly affirmed and widely acknowledged – not only in the Asia-Pacific region but also in the Gulf region.

ASEAN identity is not just showcasing symbols such as the common flag, anthem and customs but substantively presenting in many regional and international events and mechanisms forged by ASEAN with the participation of world great powers, through the spirit of cohesion and consensus, through the aspiration for peaceful development, stability, prosperity and the everlasting dynamism over many past decades. From only 5 founding countries, ASEAN has grown to 10 member states today and is preparing to welcome Timor Leste as the 11th member – a living testament to the attractiveness and sustainability of the Association. ASEAN’s economic growth in recent years has been quite positive despite lot of acute difficulties. As a whole, ASEAN is currently ranked the 5th largest economy in the world. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ASEAN’s GDP growth is estimated to reach 5 percent in 2024 and may steadily remain at this rate in 2025.

Since joining ASEAN in 1995, over the past 30 years, Vietnam has been an active member in many activities and fields, especially making important and outstanding contributions in the role of ASEAN Chair (1998, 2010 and 2020), contributing to the overall successes of ASEAN and gradually making Vietnam a solid pillar of the bloc. Currently, the Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait, which is serving as the Chair of the ASEAN Committee, has also implemented many practical initiatives and activities to enhance the image of the ASEAN Community in general and cultivate friendly relations between Kuwait and all ASEAN member countries.

Promoting inclusion

In the context of many global challenges, from climate change, economic crises to geopolitical conflicts, ASEAN has further affirmed the importance of sustainable and inclusive development. ASEAN’s development priorities have always been associated with building strong resilience, internal resources, strengthening regional connectivity and in-depth international cooperation.

Intra-bloc solidarity is the core foundation that helps ASEAN overcome plenty of challenges and hardships, and maintain regional stability and cooperation for almost six decades. This spirit is clearly expressed in the Bangkok Declaration August 8, 1967 which established ASEAN and championed the aspiration for peace and sustainable prosperity for future generations.

Today, ASEAN has unceasingly and actively expanded cooperation with international organizations and countries, including the State of Kuwait. A significant step forward has been taken by Kuwait’s formal accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) in 2023 – opening new opportunities to promote bilateral cooperation. Through individual exchange activities as well as multilateral forums, the two sides are working together on potential fields such as trade and investment, energy security, food security, cultural exchanges and tourism development.

In 2025, ASEAN puts forward the Moto “Inclusivity and Sustainability” as its key message and goal. This is an opportunity for the whole bloc to evaluate the progress of realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and at the same time set forth a long-term strategy toward 2045.

At the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, ASEAN leaders formally adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 – a strategic document towards a cohesive political community, deeply integrated economy, and high social responsibility. Also at the same venue, ASEAN held its second Summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirming its commitment to strengthening inter-regional cooperation, in which Kuwait as the current Chair of the GCC has been playing a crucial role to build the bridge, mutual interest and general action plan for 2025-2030 period.

Solidarity and consensus – the core values of ASEAN – are a profound foundation for realizing a sustainable development and maintaining ASEAN Centrality. In that spirit, ASEAN continues to actively promote multi-faceted cooperation with Kuwait and the Gulf countries, and jointly contributing to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.