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: As her tenure comes to a close, Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait Aliya Mawani has expressed gratitude for the strong partnerships and lasting friendships formed during her posting.

Reflecting on her arrival in November 2021, just as Kuwait was emerging from COVID-19 restrictions, Ambassador Mawani described her term as one marked by momentum, cooperation and significant bilateral achievements.

She stated during her farewell remarks, “It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. To me, that’s a sign it’s been a meaningful and productive period,” highlighting the warmth, hospitality, and commitment she experienced in the country.

“One major milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral strategic consultations, providing a formal platform for high-level dialogue on political, commercial, educational and security-related matters. A second MOU on development cooperation further aligned the two countries as international donors with shared values around stability and sustainable development,” she said.

The Canadian ambassador stated that security cooperation has also remained a cornerstone of the relationship, pointing out that Kuwait continues to host Canada’s regional airbase an essential hub for humanitarian and military operations in the region. The base notably supported the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from Afghanistan in 2021, underscoring Kuwait’s strategic importance as a trusted partner.

Meanwhile, healthcare collaboration has deepened with the signing of a government-to-government MoU between Canada and Kuwait’s Ministry of Health. Canadian institutions such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Accreditation Canada play a key role in supporting the training of Kuwaiti doctors and elevating healthcare standards.

In education, the ambassador stated that Canada remains a popular destination for Kuwaiti students, particularly in medicine, with approximately 450 students enrolled in Canadian medical programs each year. The ambassador also noted growing interest in Canada among families considering international education options.

Ambassador Mawani emphasized the importance of like-minded partnerships during turbulent times. With Kuwait currently holding the GCC presidency and Canada leading the G7, she sees both countries well-positioned to advance collective efforts on peace, multilateral reform and international law.

She indicated that Kuwait has consistently advocated for humanitarian values and multilateralism, adding that its foreign policy has evolved toward greater alignment with regional bodies, such as the GCC, Arab League, and OIC, especially in issues like Syria.

Ambassador Mawani will return to Canada to take on a new role at the Global Affairs Canada headquarters in Ottawa, opting to remain closer to family for the foreseeable future. Her successor, Tara Scheurwater, a seasoned diplomat who has served in Istanbul, Japan, and India, will take over the post and continue Canada’s 60th-anniversary celebrations with Kuwait.

As she prepares to depart, Ambassador Mawani says she’ll miss the friendships, the food, and Kuwait’s unique culture of turning dialogue into action. “Kuwait is a place where conversations lead to real projects. Whether through our Young Ambassadors program or collaboration with institutions like UNHCR and the ICRC, I’ve seen firsthand the spirit of partnership that defines this country.”

She leaves with more than memories, taking back a few traditional dara’as and a deeper appreciation for Kuwaiti hospitality, one she hopes to replicate back home through frequent open gatherings and continued engagement.