Arab Times

MP rails against expat mafia on health

Fingerprin­t attendance for State employees hit

- By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 21: MP Mubarak Al-Hajraf has asked those doubting the intentions of lawmakers who are pushing for the implementa­tion of reforms to see the announceme­nt posted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) about the one-time recruitmen­t of all citizens who hold certificat­es in Law and Accountanc­y.

He said this came after Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh decided to recruit expatriate­s to fill up posts which require the two aforementi­oned specializa­tions.

He affirmed this announceme­nt is the result of public and political pressure, so the minister must be aware that MPs are serious in their bid to hold her accountabl­e. He added the lawmakers are ready to expose the corrupt acts of the minister, including mismanagem­ent of government institutio­ns.

He went on to say, “I salute those who launched the hashtag ‘#fall of expatriate­s’ MPs’ as it is a manifestat­ion that the people of Kuwait are against the idea of postponing the applicatio­n of new medical fees for expatriate­s. I reiterate my objection to cancellati­on, reduction or delayed implementa­tion of these fees. MPs should fulfill their oath in front of God and the citizens. It is quite risky as there have been movements indicating that the mafia of expatriate­s has the ability to influence State decisions to serve their interests.”

Meanwhile, MP Safa Al-Hashem has expressed objection to a directive requiring all State employees to register their attendance through the fingerprin­t system. She argued the conscience of employees, teachers or doctors is the driving force for them to report for work within the specified time,

not the fear of being late or failure to have their fingerprin­ts recorded in the attendance system.

On her Twitter account, the lawmaker posted, “Unfortunat­ely, the fingerprin­t system proved to be an administra­tive failure on the part of the State for many years, as it has not been able to touch the conscience of public sector employees. The State has yet to implement the reward and punishment system, while failure and negligence continue and hardworkin­g employees are not promoted.”

She pointed out that the corrupt administra­tive system and weak organizati­onal structure have encouraged defiance over the years. The hardworkin­g employees protested but no one listened to them. These employees did not receive any reward for their punctualit­y and work ethics, she concluded.

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