Union chiefs reject any changes to labor law of private sector

‘Tendency to cut wages of private sector workers unacceptable’

KUWAIT CITY, May 10: A number of labor union leaders and private sector entities have stated outright rejection of any amendment to the labor law of private sector, which they say would be a step toward displacing the national personnel from private sector, with the aim of protecting traders, reports AlSeyassah daily.

In this context, head of the Union of Petroleum Workers and the Petrochemical Industry Mohammed AlHajiri affirmed that labor union leaders and the oil sector unions have rejected any amendment to the labor law of private sector except for more rights and gains.

In a statement to the daily, AlHajiri

indicated that labor law of private sector was intended to protect citizens working there, but amendments some stakeholders are currently marketing aim to protect the traders, so that it gives authority to negotiate salary cuts.

In his role, head of the labor union at the Kuwaiti telecom companies, Talal Al-Jarian, affirmed that the tendency to reduce the wages of workers in private sector is unacceptable, describing the mentality behind the idea of amending labor laws as shocking and disregard for the welfare of the national personnel in that sector.

He said such decisions do not provide job security for the national employment and will be a reason for the displacement of Kuwaitis from private sector, stressing that “this should never be allowed to happen”.

Head of the banks union, Ahmed El-Khabbaz, wonders if these amendments were included but not discussed in public, and whether they serve the interests of private sector employees or the traders.

He urged the wages of employees must not be touched under any title, warning on the consequences of such decisions, indicating that negative changes to laws governing private sector will be exploited by traders and employers against the workers.