(MENAFN - Arab Times) Law teachers at Kuwait University affirmed that the new labor law for private sector has some positive clauses that are capable of improving the lives of employees and the interests of employers, reports Al-Qabas daily. The professors made this observation in a seminar 'The New Labor Law- Guaranteed Rights for Employees and Negative Aspects of the New Law,' organized by the Faculty of Law. The positive aspects include protection of expatriate employees from arbitrary retrenchment, control level of visa trading and clampdown on human trafficking. They, however, regretted that the law neglected the exploitation of domestic workers and mentioned some other lapses.
A professor of law Dr Muslit Al-Quwai'an disclosed that the new law contains several positive points like stable contract even when the employer changes and the right of employees to compensation for period of mistreatment. He said the law guarantees employees compensation for vocational hazards, which makes the employer bear some financial commitments. "This law protects employees from arbitrary abuse and retrenchment by their employers," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mouse Rouzaiq said a clause prohibiting employees from suing employers unless the Social Affairs Ministry is aware of the case is a positive aspect of the law. He explained that this method can assist in resolving issues amicably rather than through litigation. He believed that there is no justification for maintaining the sponsorship system. Another legal expert, Dr Yasir Al-Sairafie, picked a hole in the new law, saying it did not take any step forward in labor syndicate activities. He noted that the law controls syndicate freedom, arguing that there is no need to discuss rights and entitlements of employees without the freedom to form unions. Lamenting that non-Kuwaitis are deprived of union activities, he said, "it contradicts the international labor law."
Meanwhile, the Labor Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has introduced a new form to confirm the signatures of owners of commercial firms, as part of the automation project, reports Awan daily. A reliable source said owners will have to first get the form attested by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and then their data will be fed into the ministry's automation system.
If the form is not attested, the system will not accept transactions of the firm, said the source, adding data of all firms will be gradually updated in the system. The form has to be attested only once and after that owners can renew it by paying KD 45. They will have to renew annually, if they want to vote in the Chamber's board elections, note sources.
The total cost of feeding the data and signatures is estimated to be about one-and-half million dinars, especially since there are more than 30,000 people who run commercial activities, add sources. In another development, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi has stressed that the automation project is proving quite successful and "private sector companies will immensely benefit from this advanced and one of the best systems in the country," reports Al-Seyassah daily. Speaking at the independence celebrations of Senegal, the minister rejected all criticism about the project saying some people with vested interests don't want to see the implementation of projects which may hinder their objectives. He also emphasized that the ministry will not revoke the system.
