‘Govt denies forcing Kuwaitis to work in the private sector’

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: In a statement to Al-Anba daily, senior government sources have denied reports that a decision has been taken or a direction has been adopted or there is a study or intention to forcibly transfer government employees to the private sector.

The sources said there is no truth that the government will force the existing staff or new graduates to seek employment in the private sector.

The sources pointed out that the studies conducted by the Supreme Council for Planning and Development showed there is convincing unemployment and there is no indication that the government apparatus will issue a decision to eliminate this increase by privatization or compulsory referral to retirement if an employee is fully entitled to pension.

In response to a question about the government’s plan to benefit from surplus human resources, especially that the third development plan is the main focus of involving the private sector in the implementation of the development plan, the sources said, it is true that the government is now preparing mechanisms to involve the private sector in implementing the development plan that depends on national employment but the use of staff in general is done through several controls, the most important of which is the desire of the employee to move to work in the private sector.

This will be implemented through intensive training and also qualification in homogeneous disciplines in a manner that enables the employee to perform his role in a product consistent with the requirements of the private sector.

The sources said that the provision of employment opportunities for national labor will be regulated through certain regulations and clear conditions for all.

“The government will ensure through the introduction of several legislation all the functional, moral and financial rights of employees, and the application of laws will support the participation of national labor in the privatization process.

The sources revealed that the government will not force employees to transfer to the private sector, will not force the private sector to accept all employees in the facility where privatization will be applied, whether in management or operation.