Co-ops to step up bedoons’ recruitment

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs plans to increase the rate of recruiting stateless people at various co-op societies, provided they hold valid security IDs, well-informed sources said. An agreement was made in this regard between the ministry, Kuwait Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies (KUCCS) and the Public Authority for Manpower to prioritize the employment of bedoons instead of expats and recruit citizens in leading positions after undergoing special training courses, the sources added. The sources said various co-ops are currently receiving citizens’ applications for those jobs, adding that bedoons and Kuwaiti women’s children are next in priority for these jobs. “Allegations that co-ops will not terminate expats are completely false and that all expats are replaceable in various positions, including warehouse laborers or market supervisors,” the sources stressed.

Embassy denies allegations

Responding to recent social media and local media allegations that security staff at the Egyptian consulate in Kuwait held, assaulted and insulted a Kuwaiti man while also hurled insults against Kuwait, the consulate yesterday stressed that it had submitted the results of investigations conducted in this regard and a video showing all the details of the incident. The Egyptian consulate strongly rejected of any form of slander against Kuwait or its people and urged all media and public figures to verify allegations before responding to them and circulating them.

Incentives for firemen

Chairman of the parliamentary interior and defense affairs committee MP Askar Al-Enezi said the committee discussed the new Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) law yesterday with KFSD representatives and that the law needs some amendments. Enezi added that the new law will include more incentives for firemen and that the KFSD employees syndicate will be consulted regarding the new amendments. Committee rapporteur MP Nayef Al-Merdas said firemen had fears over the discussion of the bill and that the committee insisted on adding guarantees to protect current incentives and add more in the new bill. “This is why voting was postponed to reach a final version that satisfies all KFSD personnel,” he said. KFSD Director Lt Gen Khaled Al-Mekrad stressed that the new law will include more incentives without adding any new penal measures.