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Labor deposits further eased; Afya abolished

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KUWAIT: The Public Authority of Manpower on Sunday further cancelled more financial guarantees taken from employers as security deposits to ensure the rights of expat workers in case of labor disputes. Kuwaiti employers were required to pay a security deposit of KD 250 per expat worker for several types of workers, especially those in menial jobs, as insurance for their rights. The deposit was managed by the manpower authority, which was authorized to withdraw from it to pay workers.

Since then, the security deposit has been cancelled for several types of workers, but remained mostly on employees working on government contracts, like cleaning. The authority said in a statement on Sunday that the security deposit for the activities of cleaning, security (guards) and handling, as well as security deposits for absentee workers, have been cancelled.

The cancellation also includes workers who were handed a final court verdict, in addition to commercial licenses of citizens of Gulf Cooperation

Council (GCC) states. The financial deposits decision was issued at a time when a large number of expat workers were denied payment of salaries or their wages were delayed for several months, leading to labor strikes.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti government on Sunday officially abolished the lucrative Afya health insurance scheme for tens of thousands of retired Kuwaiti citizens that allowed them to seek medical care at private health institutions. An Amiri decree was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on Sunday, meaning the scheme was officially cancelled.

The government suspended the scheme in Oct 2024 for a year to review the entire system and its cost amid claims that the scheme which covered more than 150,000 retirees was too expensive and cost several hundred million dinars. The decree’s explanatory note affirmed on Sunday that the scheme was too costly, especially as the services can be offered by government health institutions.

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Crown Prince receives KPC officials to mark a record offshore gas discovery

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace on Tuesday Minister of Oil Tareq Sulaiman Al-Roumi, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah and CEO of Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Ahmad Jaber Al-Aidan. During the meeting, the officials briefed HH the Crown Prince on the new natural gas discovery in the Jazza offshore field, a landmark achievement in Kuwait’s maritime region.

The field recorded the highest production rate from a vertical well in the history of Kuwait’s Managish area and forms part of KOC’s ongoing efforts to develop the country’s hydrocarbon resources. HH the Crown Prince extended his best wishes for continued success and further achievements under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The officials presented His Highness with a commemorative gift to mark the occasion. — KUNA

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Kuwait’s Prime Minister to represent Amir at Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation left Kuwait on Monday, heading to Egypt where he will represent His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit for Gaza. — KUNA

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Kuwait promotes social justice and joint Arab developmental efforts

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CAIRO: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah on Monday reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening joint Arab social and developmental efforts to uphold human rights and promote social justice. Delivering her speech at the 82nd session of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, held at the League of Arab States headquarters in Egypt, Dr Al-Huwailah opened by expressing deep sorrow over the tragic death of three Amiri Diwan employees in a traffic accident in Sharm El-Sheikh, offering condolences to the families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

She expressed pride in Kuwait’s participation in the session, which addressed key social and developmental issues, and expressed hope it would yield decisions supporting social justice policies and the empowerment of women, girls, and persons with disabilities, particularly in political participation and gender equality. Dr Al-Huwailah noted that the session would adopt the draft agenda for the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and prepare for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled in Doha next November. She emphasized Kuwait’s aspiration for Arab countries to make a strong and active presence at these events, showcasing development achievements and exchanging experiences in social care.

Officials are pictured during the meeting. - KUNA photos

Officials are pictured during the meeting. – KUNA photos

Highlighting Kuwait’s role, she said the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Public Authority for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities are committed to following up on the implementation of Council decisions, ensuring coordination that respects diversity and privacy while promoting social justice.

Dr Al-Huwailah concluded by thanking Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity and Head of the Executive Office Dr Maya Morsi for the warm reception and efficient organization. She also praised Egypt’s efforts in hosting the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and its unwavering support for ending the conflict in Palestine. The Executive Office meetings are chaired by Egypt, with membership including Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, the Comoros, Lebanon and Libya, alongside the participation of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, represented by Minister Plenipotentiary Enas Al-Farjani.- KUNA

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