At the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, private foreign schools announced they will limit their working hours starting August 21, providing students return gradually starting Sunday, Aug 28 and Tuesday, Aug 30.

In the following week, Sept 4, 2022, payments are due. A local Arabic newspaper quoted a responsible educational source as saying that tuition fees for the upcoming academic year are fixed and won't increase, despite the wave of high prices after the pandemic ended.

Noura Al-Ghanim, President of the Private Schools Union, said there is a shortage of manpower in some Arab and foreign schools. She called upon government institutions to take measures to exclude workers in the educational and health sectors and facilitate the process of bringing in foreign workers.

Kuwaiti labor is very expensive, and unqualified to work in schools, he explained, so that "educational institutions cannot rely on teachers alone, but also need security guards, cleaners, bus drivers, as well as maintenance workers," citing the fact that many foreign teachers are unwilling to return to Kuwait without their families. Except in exceptional cases, government decisions do not allow entry to teachers' families.

In light of the Corona crisis, Al-Ghanim praised the great response of the Ministry of Interior and the Public Authority for Manpower and hoped that this flexibility would remain in the hiring of foreign teachers for private schools, noting that the foreign teacher and his wife are not permitted to leave their 15 and 16-year-old sons behind.

Concerning tuition fees, the responsible source emphasized the need for foreign schools to comply with Ministerial Resolution No. 52/2021, warning of the application of penalties in the event of violation, pointing out that tuition fees are specified in the tables attached to the aforementioned decision and approved by the Ministry of Education in 2021.

In accordance with the decision, each student at the school will be given a special account list detailing the tuition fees owed by the guardian, the payment system, the value and the due dates, provided that private schools qualify for registration fees that are deducted from the tuition fees owed by the student, which is 50 dinars per student in Arabic schools and foreign schools with Pakistani, Indian and Filipino curriculum, and 100 dinars per student in typical Arab schools.

The head of the Kuwaiti Federation of Fishermen, Zaher Al-Suwayan, announced that the shrimp fishing season begins August 1, in Kuwaiti waters, and begins September 1, in regional waters, stressing that the local shrimp, popular for consumers, will return after a seven-month hiatus, expressing the fishermen’s aspirations that the shrimp fishing season will be abundant despite the indicators prove the opposite, as happened in the previous season due to the non-compliance of some neighboring countries with the ban periods, as evidenced by the entry of imported shrimp throughout the periods of the ban on fishing, reports Al- Rai daily.

Al-Suwayan called on the concerned authorities from the fishing sector to work on activating international agreements and asking neighboring countries to tighten control at the time of the ban and to prevent the import of fresh and chilled shrimp and limit its entry to farmed and frozen shrimp, noting that what is actually happening is real abuses and non-compliance with agreements regarding the protection of fish wealth, especially in the common stock. Among the countries of the region, this has a negative impact on the fish wealth in the State of Kuwait.

He pointed out the importance of coordination with neighboring countries regarding fishing ban periods, pointing out that the lack of commitment by some neighboring countries extends its impact to the Kuwait Sea, where the shrimp catch in Kuwait has become less compared to previous seasons, which threatens its extinction with time, noting that Kuwaiti fishermen are the most committed to the laws at the level of countries in the region. Al-Suwayan stressed the importance of fairness and development of the fishing sector, reconsidering the support provided to it and giving it the increase it deserves, especially that the fish subsidy is the least compared to other food security sectors

A recent report by the MEED (Project Monitor in the region), expects scores of contracts worth billions of dollars to be re-floated in Kuwait, as a result of long delays and high inflation that forced companies to refuse to implement them, the situation that was brought about by the political stalemate and the Covid-19 epidemic, the contracts whose budgets were approved took up about three years to set the wheel moving from the bidding stage to the award stage, reports Al- Qabas daily. The MEED report said, with the awarding of these projects, many of the contracting companies that originally submitted bids refused to sign the contracts, considering that prices are no longer valid due to inflation, which will cause a wave of projects cancellations and resubmissions. A source in the contracting sector told MEED: “We had one infrastructure project that took three years to award.

Recently, when the state-owned company that submitted the contract contacted us, we had to tell them that we would not implement the project at the price we offered when submitting the bid.” The MEED report stated that importing steel from China has become difficult for companies operating in Kuwait, due to the disruptions associated with the Covid-19 epidemic. In April this year, Tangshan, the center of China’s steel industry which is responsible for 13% of China’s steel production, introduced lockdowns in some areas. The Russo-Ukrainian war has also caused problems for Kuwaiti contractors looking to buy steel.

The Azov-Stal Iron and Steel Plants, located in Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, were one of the largest iron plants of their kind in Europe and were destroyed earlier this year during the conflict. The war in Ukraine has also affected shipping costs globally, as the price of freight has more than quadrupled since June 2020 until now. “Due to inflation, it is impossible to use the same prices that were approved in 2019, and this affects many local and international contractors working in Kuwait,” said an executive at a Kuwait-based contracting company.

People familiar with project contracts tell MEED that the re-bidding process for canceled contracts is likely to be very lengthy, due to the country’s ongoing political problems, but there are no guarantees, and the processes to put that government in place are complicated. It is very easy to imagine a scenario in which we enter 2023 and there is no permanent government in place.” The MEED report noted that the current absence of government means that no significant decisions will have been made regarding large or small infrastructure projects, according to industry sources.

Another source in the contracting sector said: “At the moment, everything is on hold because no one knows who the next ministers will be. State-owned companies responsible for infrastructure projects cannot make any decisions and the only contracts that are likely to progress naturally are those for maintenance and those that are considered emergencies.” It seems that the contractors’ demand to re-submit the contracts, whose budgets were approved after three years, is due to the following reasons:

1. Prices are no longer valid due to the inflation that hit the world and Kuwait, as it is impossible to use the same prices that were approved in 2019.
2. The dependence of the Kuwaiti economy on the outside is relatively large, especially with regard to basic materials.
3. The high cost of freight, port costs and customs clearance procedures.
4. A big shortage of storage space.
5. The high wages of workers and the cost of recruitment.
6. Confusion and deficit in international supply networks, especially with the intensification and escalation of global demand.
7. Importing steel from China has become difficult for companies operating in Kuwait, as a result of the Corona closures.
8. The destruction of the Azov Stahl Iron and Steel Plants, located in eastern Ukraine, one of the largest iron plants of its kind in Europe.

The MEED report considered that problems related to the stability of the government in the country mean that new projects that have not yet been introduced may experience long delays, along with those being re-introduced due to issues related to inflation, as well as challenges facing re-introduced projects, which are likely to seek to increase.

Celebrations of Independence Day of India will be organized by the Embassy of India in Kuwait on 15 August 2022 in a big way by participation of all Indian nationals and Indian establishments in Kuwait virtually.

Ambassador will hoist the National Tricolor at 0800 hrs at the Embassy premises and read out the message of Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji. Please join us online for the Independence Day celebrations on 15 August 2022 from 0800 hrs onwards. The event will be live streamed on Embassy’s social media handles.

Indian Diaspora and friends of India in Kuwait are invited to join the celebrations of Independence Day by singing National Anthem of India virtually at 0800 hrs.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)’ is an ongoing celebration to commemorate 75 glorious years of progressive independent India. As a part of AKAM, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is being held on the occasion of Independence Day of India. All Indian nationals are invited, to post photos of hoisting the Indian flag at their households, tagging us on the Embassy’s social media handles. Flags are available at the Embassy for collection for this purpose. Those interested may send their details to pic.kuwait@mea.gov.in. 

Embassy invites all Indian cultural troupes in Kuwait to sing patriotic songs on this occasion. Those interested may send their details to pic.kuwait@mea.gov.in.

According to Eng Ahmed Al-Manfouhi, the Director-General of Kuwait Municipality, there is no need for another international airport based on the fourth structural plan of Kuwait.

Eng Al-Manfouhi said in a letter that the information regarding the construction of a new airport in the north of Kuwait would be approved by the Municipal Council, and that the analysis of the past policies of the airport indicated that the need for a second airport has been identified.

The state's master plan should continue to provide capabilities for such an airport, however. In 1988, the second review of Kuwait's structural plan was conducted, and in 1997, the third structural plan was adopted.

The airport was proposed for the north of Kuwait Bay, west of Subbiya, and east of Sabriya field in 2005. In order to facilitate import and export operations, provide ports with facilities, and be able to serve the northern half of the State of Kuwait with the least possible noise pollution, Al-Manfouhi explained that this site was originally proposed for the airport to be well connected to the new port on Boubyan Island.

Since the structural plan was updated in 2005, it was clear that the proposal needed to be studied in greater depth, especially in light of Kuwait's relatively small size and the site selected.

It was further noted by Al-Manfouhi that work is under way to adopt the fourth structural plan for Kuwait, which indicates that there is no need to construct an additional airport, as the expansion of the current airport will be sufficient to serve 50 million passengers annually, and this expansion will increase air cargo traffic, and it will be connected directly to the railway line with the metro plan areas such as Salmiya, Kuwait City, the airport building and the Sixth and Seventh Ring Roads.

According to him, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation is coordinating with the Municipal Council on the matter, and the necessary measures can be taken based on the decision of the Council. The decision, however, did not specify the areas or locations.

A decision by the Municipal Council on January 10, 2022, regarding the construction of a new airport in the north of the country, did not specify any details about the exact location, the area or the entity that would supervise the project.

Kuwaiti government ministries are implementing a scheme that allows their employees to exchange accrued holidays for money, according to a Kuwaiti newspaper.

According to a Kuwaiti government decree issued in April, employees who do not use their holidays can be paid for them.

Al Anba newspaper cited well-informed sources as saying that the ministries have already reduced the holiday durations proposed for the swap before offering cash in exchange.

According to the sources, holiday sales are handled based on employee requests without limiting the number of swapped days.

They added that 30 days should be the minimum remaining holiday balance.

They added without providing further details that cash disbursements would be determined by each ministry in coordination with the Finance Ministry.

Earlier this month, Al Anba reported that the scheme would apply to all government employees, including expatriates.

Certain conditions must be met by eligible employees. According to the report, civil servants must have worked at least five years and have at least 30 days of holiday remaining until the end of the Gregorian year.

An employee must also have excellent performance evaluations in his or her last two evaluations.

A Kuwaiti government pledged in February to amend a civil service law so that employees can be paid for unused holidays in response to a parliamentary proposal.

There is no information available on how many employees would be affected by the scheme in the country of 4.6 million.

The imports of coal into Kuwait have risen again after a significant decline since the beginning of the Corona pandemic.

A local Arabic daily reports that Kuwait imported 7.5 million dinars worth of coal, coke, and coal briquettes between January and June 2021, with a value of 4.59 million dinars, according to official data.

Kuwait's imports of these products increased by about 2.9 million dinars in 2021 compared to 2020, when they were about 4.61 million dinars.

To transport students from schools in Hawally, Al-Asimah and Farwaniya educational areas, religious education institutes, special education schools, the Ministry of Finance has agreed to complete the procedures for launching a tender to hire buses with drivers for more than 16 million dinars over a three-year period.

An Arabic daily reports that the Ministry of Finance wrote this to Dr. Ali Al-Yaqoub, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education.

In coordination with the specialists from the Ministry of Finance, General Storage Affairs, and in the presence of specialists from the Ministry of Education, this was discussed at the meeting on July 20, 2022 in the Ministry of Finance.

 The Indian Embassy in Kuwait plans to organize the Independence Day of India on August 15, in what the press release issued by the embassy said “in a big way with participation of all Indian nationals and Indian establishments in Kuwait virtually.” His Excellency the Ambassador of India in Kuwait Sibi George will hoist the National Tricolor at 08:00 hours at the embassy premises and read out the message of the President of India.

The Indian Diaspora and friends of India in Kuwait are invited to join the celebrations online by singing the National Anthem of India virtually from 08:00 hours onwards. The event will be live streamed on the embassy’s social media handles.

The Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) is an ongoing celebration to commemorate 75 glorious years of progressive independent India. As part of AKAM, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is being held on the occasion of the Independence Day.

All Indian nationals are invited, to post photos of hoisting the Indian flag at their households, tagging us on the embassy’s social media handles. Flags are available at the embassy for collection for this purpose. Those interested may send their details to pic.kuwait@mea.gov.in. The embassy invites all Indian cultural troupes in Kuwait to sing patriotic songs on this occasion. Those interested may send their details to pic.kuwait@mea.gov.in.

 MP Osama Al- Shaheen has submitted a proposal for the government to form a crisis team, in coordination with the neighboring countries, in order to deal with the announcement of Iran that it intends to establish a new nuclear reactor with a capacity of 360 megawatt. He suggested that the team should assess the impact of the nuclear reactor on the environment and health in the region.

He quoted Kuwait Green Line Society as saying that the new nuclear reactor named, ‘Darkhovin’, is only 81 kilometers away from the Kuwaiti borders. He clarified that his proposal could not be considered interference in the internal affairs of other countries and it does not violate the good neighbor policy, as the aim is to ensure the safety of everyone in the region.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, presided over the meeting of the Assembly Office on Thursday. Deputy Speaker MP Ahmed Al-Shuhoumi, Assembly Secretary MP Farz Al- Daihani, Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Chairman MP Ahmad Al-Hamad and Secretary General of the Assembly Adel Al-Lugani attended the meeting.

On the other hand, MPs Abdulkareem Al-Kandari and Muhammad Al-Huwaila urged the government to form an emergency committee to deal with heavy rainfall, which is expected to hit Kuwait after some neighboring countries experienced the same recently.

In addition, MP Muhammad Al-Mutair forwarded queries to Minister of Finance and State Minister for Financial and Economic Development Abdulwahab Al- Rashead about the Kuwait Investment Office in London. He asked if Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) has had a meeting with the head of the office since his appointment in 2021, if the international law firm Quinn Emanuel conducted investigations, results of investigations if the answer is in the affirmative, if the head of the office has been proven innocent, if the profits of the office in 2021 are higher than in previous years, and profits and losses of the office in the last five years.

He inquired if the office hired a Greek. If yes, he wants to know name, qualification, salary, complaints against the employee if any, and if the employee has been suspected of involvement in financial anomalies. Lastly, Al-Ghanim sent a cable to President of the Peruvian Congress Maria del Carmen Alva Prieto to greet her on the National Day of Peru. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff

The Director of the Public Authority for Manpower Dr. Mubarak Al-Azmi, received the Malian ambassador to the country, HE Ali Ould Ahmed and his accompanying delegation, reports Al-Jarida daily. During the meeting Al-Azmi praised the relations between the two countries stressing his keenness to strengthen these relations.

In turn, the Malian envoy stressed that Kuwait provides legal protection for all expatriate workers of various nationalities, and proposed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries for cooperation in the field of labor exchange, hoping that the memorandum will be the beginning of cooperation and exchange of experiences between the two sides in various aspects to serve the interests of both parties.

Ministry of Interior, on Thursday, called on drivers and sea-goers to exercise caution due to unstable weather, in addition to the warnings of the Meteorological Department of the possibility of rainfall in the coming days. In a press statement, the ministry also called on everyone not to hesitate and to call (112) when facing any emergency. (KUNA)

Days after the Cabinet’s decision to cancel the permission to hold recreational activities in the agricultural areas of Al-Wafra and Al- Abdali, the Council of Ministers this time has given the nod to establish a recreational park in Al-Wafra agricultural area, reports Al-Qabas daily. The Cabinet has assigned the ministerial committee supervising the follow-up and implementation of major development projects, and the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources to coordinate with the competent authorities to develop appropriate scenarios for the exploitation of the site that has been allocated by the Municipal Council.

The daily had published the decision to cancel entertainment projects in agricultural areas in its issue on July 20, under the title ‘The Council of Ministers is retracting entertainment in Wafra and Abdali’, and then the Council addressed the concerned authorities in its letter issued on July 24, 2022, during which it assigned the Ministerial Committee to implement this huge project on an area of about one million square meters. At a time when demands are increasing to open the atmosphere for entertainment in the country and to exploit agricultural areas to attract visitors — citizens and residents — who are eager to spend quiet times in the nature away from the urban hectic activity, a number of farmers considered that the establishment of this recreational park will serve domestic tourism.

The farmers reiterated that the establishment of recreational activities does not confl ict with food security. On the contrary, “attracting visitors will open new outlets for the sale of national crops and products.” Documents obtained by the daily showed that the planned park will include fish lakes, cinemas, local and international restaurants and cafeterias, in addition to water sports, open theaters, cultural centers, sports fields, accommodation cabins, a moving train, and others.

The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (GSSCPD) organized on Wednesday an exhibition entitled ‘Feather and Art’ in cooperation with the Kuwaiti Awareness Team of Birds. Mohammad Anber, Vice President of the Kuwaiti Awareness Team of Birds, told Kuwait Times that the exhibition was held to raise awareness of the birds through pictures and paintings, adding “We are participating in the exhibition in cooperation with GSSCPD. Today’s exhibition is diverse and is the first of its kind to combine pictures of painters and photographers.”

He pointed out that his team is the first in the Middle East that combines talking birds’ species and birds of prey. “We are an environmental volunteer team,” he noted. “We aspire to raise a conscious generation to preserve the environment. We aim to create an educated and aware generation of the importance of endemic and migratory birds in environmental balance and work to make Kuwait and the Gulf States capitals for awareness and environmental culture.”

Anber affirmed that the Kuwaiti team is against poaching. “The ecological balance must be preserved. For example, one owl eats between 1,000 to 2,000 mice per year,” he said. “If we killed or hunted owls, the number of mice will increase, will start attacking homes and areas and we will get back to the plague era.” 

“We have been working on community awareness for the past six years, by organizing exhibitions and awareness campaigns in schools and universities and cooperation with government ministries. We visited almost 80 percent of Kuwait schools. The Kuwaiti people became more aware, and we see this through the children in schools. We must build an environmentally conscious generation,” he added.

The joint tripartite commission, led by the General Administration of Residence Affairs’ Investigations, organized a sudden inspection security campaign in several Salmiya malls on Tuesday. The inspection resulted in the arrest of 19 violators of labor law, who were referred to the proper authorities to take necessary measures against them. 

The campaign was launched with the aim of inspecting workers in Salmiya and detect those who violate the labor law, Dr Fahd Al-Murad, Director of the Labor Inspection Department at Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), said on the sidelines of the campaign. “Today’s campaign aimed at regulating the labor market, where we spotted several violations in several malls in Salmiya,” he said. “Several booth salesmen were working illegally, and there were many unlicensed booths.”

Murad revealed that most of the workers that were arrested have family visas (article 22) and there were children aged under 18 among the workers. He stressed that PAM does not issue work permits for juveniles, unless under certain conditions. “A special work permit must be issued for juveniles, most of whom are employed in the summer for a short period,” he explained. “Article 19 of the labor law prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15, and Article 20 regulates the work of those who are 15-18 years old according to specific conditions. So far, no company has come to issue a work permit for juveniles.”

As for the violators, he indicated that there are two penalties; a criminal penalty for violating Article 10 of the labor law, punished by a fine ranging from KD 2,000 to 10,000, and/or imprisonment for up to three years. The other penalty is taken against the company; the employer’s file will be suspended and followed up to verify that he is not practicing his business. Murad affirmed that any employment of a worker in the labor market under the name ‘training period’ or ‘part-time job’ is considered illegal. 

In the meantime, Ibrahim Al-Sabaan, the head of the emergency team at Kuwait Municipality – Hawalli Governorate branch, said, “We have cooperated with the joint committee to control several workers carrying out an activity not mentioned in the company’s license. An administrative closure will be requested by the municipality.”

“We usually inspect public places, but recently it was monitored that booth workers escaped when we enter the mall, so we formed the team today to monitor those violations. A violation has now been issued and there will be a serious penalty on the worker or the license holder of a fine ranging from KD 500 to 1,000 and a travel ban,” he noted.

A researcher specialized in domestic labor affairs Bassam Al-Shammari has called on government agencies related to employment such as the Ministry of Interior and Public Authority for Manpower to reconsider the decision that bans the transfer of domestic workers from one employer to another in the event of a dispute between the two parties and the insistence of workers not to continue with the employer and reserve all legally guaranteed rights, reports Al-Anba daily. In a press statement, Al-Shammari explained that a decision must be issued in this regard without considering deportation as the first step to take.

Rather, it must be preceded by serious attempts to benefit from the workforce by re-employing them. If this is not possible, they must receive all their dues before leaving. Rehabilitating workers and returning them to the domestic and private labor market are some of the most important solutions to eliminate labor shortage, contribute to the stability of the labor market, remove injustice from the majority of workers, and address the shortcomings and the observations of human rights organizations regarding the negative aspects of the sponsorship system. He highlighted the importance of adopting the proposal for the final clearance that proves that the domestic worker has received all his entitlements stipulated by law upon leaving either permanently or for periodic leave.

Al-Shammari affirmed that this procedure is in place in neighboring countries, and the results have proven successful both for civil and domestic workers, as it has led to a decrease in cases related to violation of material rights. He said employment has increased by 90 percent, which made these countries attractive to all types of employment.

Al-Shammari stressed the need to give the worker an end-of-service gratuity, one month’s salary and a paid leave of 30 days after completing 11 months of work, in accordance with the domestic labor law and the executive regulations. He indicated that these benefits, if not applied, may turn into violations against domestic workers and cause disputes and losses, something that affects the costs of recruitment and causes reluctance to send workers to Kuwait.

With the approach of the month of Muharram (first month in the Islamic calendar), the Ministry of Interior has completed preparations to keep pace with the activities of the Husseiniyas on the start of Muharram, culminating on the 10th day or Ashura. It has allocated a security force of about 2,900 security personnel, including 100 women, that has been dispatched to secure 106 Husseiniyas.

Movement around these sites will be controlled in order to preserve the safety of its congregations, reports Al-Rai daily. The Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Operations, Traffic and Public Security Affairs Major General Jamal Al-Sayegh revealed that the ministry is ready to keep pace with the Ashura commemoration. He said, “Based on the instructions and supervision of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Lieutenant-General Anwar Al-Barjas, all necessary arrangements have been completed as well as the readiness of all sectors involved in securing Husseiniyas. This is based on an integrated security plan that was developed in coordination with the owners of the Husseiniya councils, and after listening to some observations that the Ministry of Interior took into consideration, to ensure the safety of citizens and residents”.

Major General Al-Sayegh stressed that the security plan set by the ministry, which is represented in the distribution of fixed security detachments and foot patrols and the deployment of personnel from traffic and rescue, public security, intelligence, civil defense and special forces as well as medical emergencies and firefighting forces, as well as male and female volunteers. He said, “The task of securing entry and exit will be the responsibility of the organizers who own the councils within the walls. Outside, the task of the police will be to secure 106 Husseiniyas.

About 2,900 police officers were screened to secure the Husseiniyas including 100 women police officers. In addition, about 200 male and female volunteers will participate in the various tasks to closely monitor the security situation, ensure attendance, and inspect arrivals using the best equipment. The ministry has established a mini controls room in each governorate, linked with the main operations room in the ministry in Sabhan area. There are cameras that monitor each site from all directions. Also, security barriers are set up to prevent the presence of vehicles in the vicinity of the Husseiniya. All the police officers are fully equipped, fully prepared and have clear instructions to deal skillfully and efficiently with citizens and residents and provide them with any assistance”.

In a letter forwarded by MP Bader Al-Humaidi to Deputy Prime Minister Kohammad Al-Fares, the MP accused Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) and Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) of violating recruitment regulations and National Labor Support Law number 19/2000. According to him, these companies have been hiring workers without publishing job advertisements; therefore, he requested copies of the recruitment regulations and job advertisements published since 2000.

 Kuwaitis currently employed at Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) and its subsidiaries are not allowed to apply for advertised positions, the number of applicants rejected because of the condition since 2000 till date, the number of nationals employed by KFPE and KPI compared to foreigners, job descriptions published in their consultant job advertisements, the number of workers hired through labor supply companies, and contracts with consultants since 2000 till date.

Furthermore, he asked what the legal basis was for the Environment Public Authority (EPA) to charge KD80 for the compulsory testing of chemical substances imported from other GCC countries. According to him, Kuwait's decision violates the commercial treaties between Kuwait and other GCC countries, as the authority assigned two companies to carry out the testing and evaluation procedures, even though it has laboratories and staff capable of doing so.

While the Court of Cassation declared that chemical substances imported from other GCC countries are exempt from taxation and testing, the decision remains in effect. The decision contradicts the State's vision for investment and industry development. MP Muhannad Al-Sayer also asked Minister of Health Khalid Al-Saeed for clarification regarding allegations that Kuwaiti women were admitted without medical records to the Psychiatric Hospital. According to him, the Health Ministry did not investigate the issue, the number of these women, and the reasons for confining them at the hospital, as well as whether any of them were abused or assaulted by the medical staff.

Talal Al-Mutairi, the Kuwaiti Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, said the country has taken many measures to protect citizens and residents since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

The statement was made to KUNA during his participation in the fourth Arab regional high-level conference on human rights protection and promotion. According to him, Kuwait's amendment of the preventive health law and economy contributed greatly to reducing the humanitarian and economic effects of the pandemic. The conference discussed the instructions given to the government by the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to assist and protect all segments of society during the pandemic.

Since the conference was an opportunity to recall the efforts made by Arab countries to address Covid-19, Al-Mutairi underscored that the pandemic had negatively affected basic human rights, including the right to live and access to health services. A joint conference between the Arab League and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) was launched today.