Coronavirus takes its toll as monthly cash transfers by expats decrease by 30-50 pc
‘Over 77 pc of road maintenance works completed’
KUWAIT CITY, April 8: Local exchange companies have reported that the number of monthly money transfers by expatriates decreased by 30 to 50 percent due to the corona crisis, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.
Sources affirmed the exchange companies with online transfer facilities were also affected, but the impact is lesser than those without electronic transfer services;indicating that only 12 of the 39 exchange firms operating in the market provide their customers with such service.
Sources enumerated a number of factors that contributed to the decline in the number of transfers, foremost of which is the interruption or suspension of marginal labor income; while some small private companies did not transfer their employees’ salaries, others reduced salaries by half, and some resorted to giving their employees ‘compulsory’ leave, as well as the decline in sources of other income like commissions for certain groups, including the sales representatives”.
Transfers
Sources pointed out that the partial curfew contributed to reducing money transfers. Statistics indicate that more than 60 percent of the transfers before the crisis were done in the evening, compared to 40 percent or less in the morning.
They indicated that the precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of corona also contributed to deepening the implications like prohibiting gatherings or the entry of more than five clients to the company at one time, and the suspension of public transportation such as taxi and others.
Sources said that despite the decrease in the number of transfers, the value of some increased for the same reasons -either to avoid the difficulties of access to exchange companies, or for fear of reaching the total ban; hence, their inability to send the family’s monthly expenses.
Sources expect further decline in the number of transfers and their value during the coming period, with rates that may reach 60 percent or more; as more companies are stopping payment of salaries, fear of the workers about the future, and their inability to provide basic life expenses like food and drinkOn the other hand, sources expressed their concern about the continuation of this decline or the total suspension of work in the event of implementing total curfew, with the continuation of obligations related to
salaries and rents.
Roads maintenance:
Project manager for the construction, completion and maintenance of roads and intersections on the Seventh Ring Road and Road 240 Jarrah Al-Harbi has announced the completion of 77.34 percent of the work contract, reports Al-Jarida daily.
Al-Harbi told the daily that the project includes modernization of the Seventh Ring Road and converting it into a part of the regional road network – the Southern Road. He said this is the second stage of what the Ministry of Public Works is implementing within the development plan to upgrade the road network in Kuwait.
He added that the project
extends from the Coastal Road, at the confluence of Fahaheel Expressway with the Seventh Ring Road, to reach about five kilometers after the intersection leading to the future airport area; indicating that the project serves many residential areas including Fintas, Abu Al-Hasaniya, AlAqeela, Abu Fatira, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Jaber Al-Ali and Al-Dhahr.
He pointed out that the project includes all works related to rainwater drainage, sewage lines, electrical and lighting works, water network, telephone line, protection for gas and oil lines, irrigation network, ground planning, traffic signs and traffic control.
Kuwaiti doing drugs:
Police have arrested an unidentified Kuwaiti for violating traffic law and driving under the influence of drugs, reports AlRai daily
According to the security sources the incident happened in Hawalli. When police saw the suspect driving recklessly, they ordered him to pull over.
While checking his driving licence, the officer discovered the man appeared abnormal and was ordered to step out of the vehicle.
The man refused and told the officer there was nothing wrong with him and that he has not violated any law.
After he was forced out of the car police found with him a kind of chemical, believed to be drugs.
He has been handed over to the concerned authorities.