CSC ends exemptions, biometrics back again

‘Covid-era’ restrictions to ease

KUWAIT CITY, June 23: On her first working day, the President of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Maryam Al-Aqeel, has reintroduced the fingerprint attendance system which was suspended after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Al-Rai daily.

The decision of Al-Aqeel makes the CSC first government institution to restore the fingerprint system, based after getting the go-ahead from the health technical side, which indicated that the use of hand and face fingerprint devices does not conflict with the current health requirements, in dealing with the pandemic.

In the meantime, senior government sources told the daily other government institutions are expected to follow the example of the CSC from July 2021 and restore the fingerprint system for their employees, especially since the Cabinet has issued a decision to raise the percentage of workers in ministries, government agencies and institutions to 60 percent.

The circular issued by Al-Aqeel included several procedures, most notably to do away with what was called ‘exempted from work’, with the exception of the pregnant employees (who did not receive two doses of the Corona vaccine), the physically challenged, and employees suffering from either heart, kidney failure and cancer diseases, provided the concerned employees submit a certificate from a competent medical authority to prove their sicknesses.

The circular also does away with what was called the ‘flexible working hours’ and the rotation system, and stipulated that work at the CSC should return to full force and attendance and departure must be recorded by the fingerprint.

The circular also restores the usual official working hours (seven) from 7:30 am until 2:30 pm. The circular comes into effect from Sunday, July 25, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has started the procedures for disbursing the financial reward for those who worked in various committees during the supplementary elections of the National Assembly in the Fifth Constituency in May, report Al-Anba daily

The daily obtained a copy of the decision issued by Minister of Education Dr Ali Al-Mudhaf specifying the amount of the financial reward depending on the position of the beneficiaries as follows: KD1,500 for the undersecretary and assistant undersecretary; KD1,000 for the administration director, school principal and his assistant; KD400 for the supervisor and department head; and KD250 for the engineer and ordinary employee.