The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy (MEW) has announced essential maintenance work on several secondary transformer stations across all six governorates of Kuwait. This necessary maintenance is scheduled to begin tomorrow and will continue until October 5, resulting in temporary power outages for residents.

Details of the Maintenance Work

According to the ministry’s press statement, the maintenance is aimed at ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the power supply system. The scheduled work will affect various regions, and residents are encouraged to prepare for possible disruptions in their electricity service.

Timeline of the Maintenance

• Start Date: Tomorrow
• End Date: October 5

Impact on Residents

Residents are advised to take necessary precautions during this maintenance period. MEW is working to minimize inconveniences and will communicate any changes to the schedule through their official channels.

The Kuwaiti government is preparing to align gasoline prices with global market rates, targeting expatriates and visitors with a price hike, while ensuring citizens remain unaffected. According to an informed government source, this initiative aims to address the significant difference in population numbers between expatriates and citizens, as well as rising global fuel costs.

A government source disclosed to Al-Qabas that expatriates and visitors, whose numbers far exceed those of citizens, will face higher gasoline prices in the near future. "It is unreasonable for expatriates and visitors to enjoy gasoline at low prices when their numbers are double that of citizens," the source remarked.

The proposal is currently under review, with discussions on the exact percentage of the price increase still ongoing. Once finalized, the plan will be submitted to the Economic Affairs Committee for approval.

To protect citizens from any potential financial burden caused by the fuel price adjustment, the government is introducing a financial support program for fuel consumption. This initiative ensures that citizens will not feel the impact of the proposed gasoline price hike. The source confirmed that the government’s priority is to shield its citizens from any economic consequences arising from changes in fuel prices.

The government's plan to increase gasoline prices for expatriates comes as part of a broader effort to adjust local pricing in accordance with international market trends. This aligns with Kuwait’s economic objectives to manage subsidies while ensuring that essential resources like fuel are priced fairly for all residents.

The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) has announced that it will suspend all Civil ID transactions and applications for individuals who have not completed their biometric fingerprint procedure. The deadline for compliance, set by the Ministry of Interior, is September 30, 2024.

PACI urges citizens and residents to ensure they complete the biometric fingerprint process before the deadline to avoid service interruptions. Failing to comply will result in the suspension of all Civil ID-related services.

Starting October 1, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced the cessation of biometric fingerprinting services at shopping malls across Kuwait. Residents and citizens who still need to complete biometric fingerprinting must do so at assigned centers under the personal identity verification departments of the Public Department for Criminal Evidence.

Available Centers and Appointment Scheduling

From October 1 onward, those needing to perform biometric fingerprinting can visit the designated centers, which operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. To access these services, individuals must book an appointment via the Sahel application, the MoI confirmed in an official statement.

Deadline for Mall-Based Fingerprinting

Until September 30, biometric fingerprinting can still be conducted at 360 Mall, The Avenues, Al-Assima, and the Ministries Complex without prior appointments. After this deadline, all mall-based biometric stations will cease operation.

This transition is part of Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to streamline services through centralized locations and digital platforms.

Following a recall in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced the recall of five Anker lithium-ion batteries used in the Anker 335 (20,000mAh, 22.5W) power bank, Model A1647. These batteries pose a fire risk due to a manufacturing defect that causes them to overheat, potentially leading to melted plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.

The recall affects products with the following serial numbers:

AHJ5W51E10600062

AHJ5W51E08200551

AHJ5W51E10600493

AHJ5W51E10600066

AHJ5W51E08200143

Consumers are advised to stop using these products immediately and contact Astore or Anker Innovations stores for a replacement.

The Ministry of Finance has strongly denied recent rumors circulating on social media that suggested the imposition of taxes on salaries, goods, tickets, and non-essential services. In an official statement, the Ministry stressed that these claims are entirely unfounded, reassuring citizens and residents that no such taxes are being introduced.

In addition to addressing the rumors, the Ministry highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve tax education in Kuwait, particularly among middle and high school students. Since 2005, a comprehensive tax and financial literacy program has been in place, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This initiative aims to promote awareness of tax concepts through the Tax Media Department under the Ministry’s Tax Administration.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of building a financially literate society, ensuring that students understand taxation and financial responsibility from a young age. The program is part of a broader partnership with state institutions to enhance financial knowledge among the youth.

The Ministry also addressed concerns related to the organizational structure of the Tax Administration. Some social media users had raised questions about its operational framework. In response, the Ministry confirmed that the structure follows Administrative Resolution No. 404 of 2003, which governs the tax administration's functions. It was reiterated that the Ministry applies tax laws consistently to both foreign and Kuwaiti companies, in accordance with the law.

By providing these clarifications, the Ministry of Finance seeks to dispel any confusion and ensure transparency in its operations, reaffirming Kuwait's position as a country with no taxes on individual salaries or goods.

As of Monday, September 23, 2024, the Ministry of Interior has introduced a new service allowing domestic workers in the driver profession to access their driving licenses via the Sahel application. This initiative is designed to simplify the process for obtaining or renewing driving licenses, ensuring greater convenience for both workers and employers.

The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to digitize public services and reduce bureaucracy, offering a streamlined experience for domestic drivers seeking to manage their legal documentation.

Simplified Access via Sahel App

The Sahel app now enables domestic workers to:

Apply for a new driving license

Renew an existing driving license

Access and track the status of their application in real-time

This digital shift is part of the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the overall efficiency of public services, reduce waiting times, and make the process more user-friendly.

For more information on the new service, users are encouraged to visit the Sahel app or contact the Ministry’s support team.

The Embassy of India in Kuwait has announced the temporary suspension of all passport-related services due to scheduled maintenance of the Passport Seva Portal. This includes essential services like TATKAAL Passport and Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) applications. The maintenance window will last from 20th September 2024, 17:30 Kuwait time (20:00 IST) to 23rd September 2024, 03:30 Kuwait time (06:00 IST).

The suspension affects both the Embassy of India in Kuwait and all Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in Kuwait, located in Kuwait City, Fahaheel, Jleeb Al Shuwaikh, and Jahra. However, consular and visa services will remain fully operational, ensuring uninterrupted access to other important services for the Indian expatriate community.

Key Information:

• Dates of Disruption: From 20th September 2024, 17:30 (Kuwait time) to 23rd September 2024, 03:30 (Kuwait time).
• Services Affected: All passport-related services, including TATKAAL Passport and PCC applications.
• Locations Affected: Indian Embassy in Kuwait and ICACs in Kuwait City, Fahaheel, Jleeb Al Shuwaikh, and Jahra.
• Services Unaffected: Consular and visa services will continue as normal at all ICACs.

Contact Information:

Indian Embassy in Kuwait:

Website: Embassy of India, Kuwait
Phone: +965 22530600 / 22530612 / 22530620
Email: amboff.kuwait@mea.gov.in
Address: Diplomatic Enclave, Arabian Gulf Street, P.O. Box 1450, Safat 13015, Kuwait

Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in Kuwait:

• Kuwait City: Jawahara Tower, Building No. 10, Mubarak Al Kabeer St, Sharq, Kuwait
  Phone: +965 22215150
• Fahaheel: Block 7, Plot 93, Fahaheel, Kuwait
  Phone: +965 22215150
• Jleeb Al Shuwaikh: Building No. 255, Street No. 4, Block 1, Jleeb Al Shuwaikh, Kuwait
  Phone: +965 22215150
• Jahra: Al Nuzha Commercial Centre, Building No. 5, Shop No. 14, Jahra, Kuwait
  Phone: +965 22215150

Stay updated with official announcements from the Embassy of India in Kuwait by visiting their website.

The Ol-Ajairi Scientific Center has announced that Neptune will be at its closest point to Earth today, Saturday. During this event, the giant blue planet will be fully illuminated by the sun, making it visible throughout the night and shining brighter than at any other time this year.

This rare alignment presents the best opportunity for stargazing and photography. According to the center, Neptune will appear as a small blue dot in the sky when viewed through a small telescope in Kuwait. For those with larger telescopes, more detailed views of the planet’s features will be possible.

Upcoming Celestial Event

In addition, the center noted that tomorrow, Sunday, the moon will rise around 10 PM, coinciding with the Pleiades star cluster. This conjunction will be visible with the naked eye in the eastern sky and will remain observable until it fades at sunrise.

In a significant move to regulate the sale of vehicles, Commerce and Industry Minister Khalifa Al-Ajeel has issued a decision to ban cash transactions for vehicle sales, as well as for brokers selling light and heavy vehicles on commission. The decision, which was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, will come into effect three days after its issuance.

Penalties for Violating the Law

The penalties for those violating this decision are outlined in Article 13 of Decree Law No. 117/2013. They are severe and depend on the nature of the violation:

Fines ranging from KD100 to KD1,000 for violating clauses one and two of Article One.

Jail sentences of one month to two years and/or fines between KD500 and KD5,000 for violating clauses three and four. Additionally, the violator's goods and tools may be confiscated, and the vehicle used in the crime can be seized.

Other penalties include:

Violations of Clause Two: Jail sentences of one to six months and fines between KD50 and KD1,000.

Violations of Clause Three: Jail sentences of three months to three years and fines between KD500 and KD3,000.

Closure of Establishments

The law also grants the Ministry of Commerce and Industry the power to temporarily close any establishment where violations have occurred, with the possibility of reopening depending on the court's decision. In the case of repeat offenses, penalties are doubled, and the establishment's license may be permanently revoked.

As the academic year 2024-2025 commences, the Ministry of Education has introduced a new school bus service equipped with tracking systems for female middle and secondary school students across all educational regions in Kuwait. This initiative aims to enhance student safety by monitoring bus routes and traffic in real-time.

The Ministry stated that the tracking system allows relevant departments within the educational districts and the General Office of the Ministry to oversee the movement of the buses and ensure that students are transported safely. Female students wishing to use the service are encouraged to register through their school administrations.

In total, 1,996 buses have been allocated to various educational districts, including:

100 buses for the Capital Educational District

100 buses for the Hawalli Educational District

155 buses for the Farwaniya Educational District

86 buses for the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational District

360 buses for the Ahmadi Educational District

130 buses for the Jahra Educational District

125 buses for religious education institutes

200 buses for the Special Education Department

40 buses for the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Talent and Creativity

20 buses for scholarship students

This program demonstrates the Ministry's ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students during their daily commute.

Yousef Kazem, spokesperson for the Sahel application, has announced a temporary suspension of services starting at 12:15 AM on Friday for routine maintenance. The maintenance aims to enhance the app's capabilities and improve user experience.

In a statement to KUNA, Kazem assured that the technical team is working diligently to restore services as soon as possible. He expressed gratitude for users' patience, emphasizing that these updates are crucial for maintaining the app’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Key Points:

Service Interruption: Sahel app services will be unavailable starting 12:15 AM Friday.

Reason for Suspension: Routine maintenance to ensure smoother service delivery.

App Impact: Since its launch, Sahel has processed over 60 million electronic transactions for more than 2.3 million users, offering around 400 services across 37 government agencies.

Kazem emphasized that periodic updates are essential for enhancing the app's functionality, allowing citizens to continue benefiting from a wide range of government e-services.

The Central Bank of Kuwait has announced a new security measure for electronic payments by introducing an additional step when using payment links. This enhancement is designed to offer users an extra layer of security, providing a second opportunity to review and verify the payment details before finalizing the transaction.

When opening a payment link, users will now be shown crucial details such as the recipient’s name, transaction amount, and the purpose of the payment. The user must approve this information before proceeding to the payment page.

The Central Bank has urged all users to carefully review the displayed details to ensure accuracy and prevent any fraudulent transactions.

The General Traffic Department has issued a reminder that improper use of a vehicle horn is a traffic violation under Kuwaiti law, punishable by a fine of 25 Kuwaiti dinars.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bu Hassan, Assistant Director of the Traffic Awareness Department, vehicle horns are strictly meant to warn of potential danger, particularly from other vehicles that could cause accidents. He emphasized that drivers often misuse horns for non-emergency purposes, such as greetings or to get attention on the road.

Bu Hassan further noted that violations related to improper horn use will not only incur fines but also result in traffic points being added to the driver’s record.

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is moving forward with the implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) unified guide for job descriptions and professional designations. This guide is structured around recognized academic qualifications within Kuwait and is part of a broader effort to streamline job title approvals across the GCC.

Sources indicated that educational documents required for job title approvals must align with the GCC’s unified guide, which has been in effect for several years. The guide was formulated after extensive studies and consultations involving various GCC entities, including ministries, professional bodies, and competent authorities.

The sources further clarified that the current suspension of the cooperation agreement pertains only to the Engineers Association. Negotiations with other professional associations are still in progress, and no cancellations have been announced for these agreements.

The Ministry of Education has addressed recent misinformation circulating on social media regarding the suspension of the end-of-service bonus. In a statement released today, Ahmed Al-Wahida, the Ministry's official spokesperson, firmly refuted these claims, describing them as entirely false.

Commitment to Employee Entitlements

Al-Wahida assured the public that the Ministry remains committed to fulfilling all employee entitlements, including the end-of-service bonus, in accordance with existing laws and regulations. He highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance staff conditions and provide necessary support to its employees.

Call for Reliable Information

The spokesperson urged the public to consult official sources for accurate information, emphasizing the importance of relying on verified news rather than social media rumors.

Ministry's Ongoing Initiatives

In addition to addressing the recent misinformation, the Ministry continues to focus on improving work conditions for its staff. These efforts include implementing new policies and support systems designed to benefit employees.

For accurate updates and information, the Ministry of Education encourages everyone to follow official communications and verify details through trusted sources.

The Public Authority of Manpower's Board of Directors has suspended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2018 with the  Kuwait Society of Engineers, effectively stripping the Society of its authority to approve engineering certificates and verify the professional expertise of expatriate engineers.

The decision comes in response to numerous complaints from companies, business owners, and employees regarding the accreditation procedures managed by the Society. As a result, the process of auditing and certifying engineering qualifications is set to undergo major changes.

While the next responsible entity for overseeing this task has yet to be confirmed, there are speculations that the Ministry of Higher  Education may assume this responsibility. This shift would align with the Ministry's existing role in evaluating educational certificates and provide a more streamlined mechanism for the certification of engineering qualifications.

This change is expected to comply with Article 7, paragraph 4 of Private Sector Labor Law No. 10 of 2010, which allows the Minister to set regulations for employing workers, including professional qualification requirements.

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that all transactions for citizens and residents who fail to complete biometric fingerprinting by the set deadlines will be suspended. Citizens must comply by September 30, 2024, while expatriates have until December 31, 2024. Despite these deadlines, the Ministry assured that this process will not affect travel rights unless restrictions are imposed by the Public Prosecution, the General Department of Investigations, or through ministerial decisions in the public interest.

Biometric Fingerprinting: Importance and Compliance

Since the launch of biometric fingerprinting in May 2023, over 805,000 citizens have completed the process, leaving 171,000 still non-compliant. For expatriates, 1,864,000 have undergone fingerprinting, with 970,000 yet to comply. The Ministry anticipates that approximately 250,000 individuals may miss the deadline, either due to non-compliance or being wanted by authorities.

The biometric fingerprinting project, initiated in 2016, aims to create a comprehensive database for citizens, residents, and short-term visitors. This database helps combat passport forgery, addresses dual nationality issues, and assists in identifying and locating individuals of interest to authorities. The project was modeled after similar successful implementations in GCC and other countries.

Compliance for Illegal Residents

Illegal residents are also required to complete biometric fingerprinting. The General Administration of Information Systems and the Central Agency for Illegal Residents will coordinate this process, particularly when illegal residents travel, renew security cards, or conduct other official transactions.

Transaction Suspension After the Deadline

After the deadlines, any individual—citizen or resident—who has not completed the biometric fingerprinting process will face transaction suspensions in all ministries, government agencies, banks, and listed companies. Further investigations will follow non-compliance.

Special Provisions for Individuals with Special Needs

To accommodate individuals with disabilities or those bedridden, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the General Administration of Information Systems, offers mobile biometric fingerprinting services. So far, 1,300 beneficiaries have utilized this service.

For those with moderate to severe disabilities, the Ministry announced that document submission for biometric fingerprinting can be done through WhatsApp. Once the required documents are received, appointments will be scheduled for mobile fingerprinting services.

Extended Operating Hours for Fingerprinting Centers

With only 21 days left until the deadline for citizens, the Ministry has extended the operating hours for fingerprinting centers to operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Individuals are required to book their appointments in advance using the Sahel application before visiting the centers.

The biometric fingerprinting process is a vital initiative for ensuring national security and streamlining identification processes in Kuwait. The Ministry of Interior urges citizens and residents to comply before the deadlines to avoid suspension of transactions in various government and private sectors.

As an expatriate working in Kuwait, facing the closure of your company can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to your visa status. Kuwaiti labor laws provide certain protections to ensure that you have options available if your employer decides to shut down the business.

If you have completed at least one year with your current employer and your visa has been renewed for an additional year, you are eligible to transfer your work visa to another employer. Employers are legally obligated to release their employees in cases of company closure, allowing you to transfer your visa to a new sponsor. Denying this release is a violation of Kuwait’s labor laws.

What to Do if Your Employer Refuses a Release:

In some cases, employers may attempt to cancel your visa or offer a three-month extension instead of granting a release. In such a situation, you have the legal right to file a complaint with the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) through the Labor Office. Authorities will ensure that your right to transfer your visa is protected.

Steps to Transfer Your Visa:

• File a Complaint with PAM: If your employer refuses to release you, visit the nearest Labor Office and file a formal complaint. PAM will handle the case and ensure your rights are protected.
• Prepare Necessary Documents: Ensure you have all relevant documents, including your work contract, salary slips, and residency information, ready to present to the authorities.
• Stay Informed About Labor Laws: It’s essential to understand your rights under Kuwait’s labor laws to protect your residency and employment status during company closure.

Expatriates should know that they have the legal right to transfer their visa to another employer if their current company is closing. The legal system in Kuwait provides protections to ensure you are not left stranded without options during such transitions.