‘No work permit for 60s, deportations ... this happens only in Kuwait’
“WHAT happens in Kuwait sometimes does not happen in other countries of the world, and decisions and procedures are taken that are very strange, useless and lacking in logic, and in this article I will address two topics of what is happening in Kuwait only,” columnist and MP Dr. Hamad Muhammad AlMatar wrote for Al-Jarida daily.
“The first topic, Government Decision No. 520 of 2020, prohibiting the issuance of work permits for those aged 60 and above who hold high school diplomas and below, and the deportation of those without regard to their reality and the extent of the damage that will be caused to the private sector as a result of this decision.
“If the government does not want expatriates who have reached 60 years of age to work in public sector institutions, then this is its right, and it may take the measures it deems appropriate in whom it contracts and with whom it ends its contracts, but to obligate the private sector with its decision and to insist that this sector be terminated is in the hands of the individuals of this category to continue or discontinue with them, as this interferes with the mechanism of work of this sector and harms its interests and institutions that need expertise according to the assessment of each of its institutions.
“The government’s argument in the decision to deport these people is the high cost of health care provided to them, and if that is the case and regardless of other considerations, the government can require appropriate health insurance for this category, instead of deporting them, and in Kuwait there are many insurance companies that can provide insurance.
“In addition to that, many of these people have lived in Kuwait for many years, including owners of institutions and partners in other institutions, their families in Kuwait and their money in Kuwaiti banks, and they can take care of their health care through appropriate insurance.
“So how can they be deported like this by a decision without looking at all these considerations? Even worse, the decision was amended by requiring the payment of a fee of 2000 dinars to issue a work permit for those who have reached 60 years of age, and linking their stay in Kuwait to a financial case and a large financial collection annually, which cannot be explained and is not befitting government procedures. But this is Kuwait.
“The second topic was the visit of the Competition Protection Authority in Kuwait to one of the sister countries that is characterized by shortcomings in this aspect to benefit from its experiences.
“This sister country ranked 93 in the Global Competitiveness Index for the year 2020, while Kuwait ranked 46, meaning that this country lags behind Kuwait with 47 points, can you imagine that? The important question is: What can this country offer to the Kuwaiti delegation in the field of competition protection, other than failure?
“But again this is Kuwait where what does not happen in other countries of the world is happening.”
Also:
“Representative Dr. Abdul-Karim Al-Kandari announced that questions were asked to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Commerce about the recent US sanctions against Kuwaiti citizens on charges of being linked to the money laundering and terrorist financing network, and how these operations influence and infiltrate Kuwaiti financial and regulatory institutions without detection and accountability,” columnist Abdulmohsen Muhammad Al-Husseini wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“There is no doubt that the US sanctions against government financial institutions related to money laundering and terrorist financing are a shocking accusation against Kuwait, as this accusation places blame on Kuwaiti institutions, and includes Kuwait among the countries that engage in terrorist acts by financing terrorist organizations and that these accusations bear Kuwait responsibility for involvement with terrorist organizations.
“It requires officials in the Kuwaiti government to take strict measures, and those who facilitated the financing of terrorist organizations must be held accountable.
“Kuwait maintained its neutrality and did not support any terrorist parties during the era of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, and it was supposed to maintain this policy and the neutrality of positions on various issues. Kuwait is neutral and refrains from supporting any terrorist elements.
“Kuwait does not need to support any approach that harms Kuwait’s reputation, and we must adopt a policy of neutrality, and this is what prompted the world countries to trust Kuwait’s neutral positions and to involve it in any talks to discuss differences between countries.
“We all remember the position of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad in the Gulf dispute. He was impartial and made a great effort to remove the dispute between the brothers, and here the Gulf countries are reaping the fruits of those efforts that resulted in removing the dispute and restoring the atmosphere of reconciliation between the Arab Gulf countries.
“Representative Osama Al-Manawer also decided to direct questions on this subject to the three ministers related to the issue of money laundering and terrorist financing; and how to address the sanctions which the America wants to slap at Kuwaiti financial institutions.
“The two representatives are seeking to track what the government will do to respond to the American sanctions and those who exploited government financial institutions to support terrorist organizations must be held accountable, in order to preserve the Kuwaiti political position, which always and forever issues statements condemning terrorist acts.
“The time has come to confront those who want to implicate Kuwait in terrorist acts which contradict Kuwait’s policy of neutrality. I hope to see a new path for the National Assembly to adopt impartial political issues. Those who funded terrorism must be held accountable, and those who facilitated such operations through institutions must be held accountable.”
“Constructive criticism is a necessity, a positive matter and a good behavior. It is like a societal oversight on those who engage in suspicious behavior and transgress laws. The aim of constructive criticism is to modify behavior and put things on the right path in order to avoid tampering with the capabilities of the country, and to preserve the dignity and freedom of the people,” columnist
Mousa Bahbahani wrote for Al-Rai daily.
“The critic must be fair, must not violate human dignity, must not deviate from the path of respect, and must not make an absolute generalization to describe majority of citizens using unacceptable words or hurl false accusations at them.
“The writing or criticism of a writer or critic should be aimed at finding the truth to identify the problem, finding appropriate solutions through positive discussion, and exchanging opinions with others while presenting evidence to reach plausible solutions. Besides adherence to the morals and religious teachings, a writer or critic must choose soft and kind words mixed with advice and guidance.
“Likewise, criticism should not be a means for degrading the status of others or hurling false accusations at them. Rather, criticism should be a process of examination, analysis and re-evaluation to correct an existing defect.”
“Health services are on the verge of radical changes. Those who think that these changes will not affect the citizen’s pocket, life or health are mistaken. It is not possible to be convinced of what has been written without scientific studies and evidence,” columnist Dr Hind Alchoumar wrote for Al-Anba daily.
“Is the privatization of health services for political, administrative or economic reasons? Who came up with the idea of openly promoting the privatization of cautery treatment?
“What about the social dimension of privatization based on the experience of other countries? Why the scientific studies justifying the escalation regarding such a sterile drug were not published? Is this how things are managed?
“What is the position of universities, research centers and experts on the issue? What is the position of the nation’s MPs regarding the leaked information about the arrival of the privatization train at the last station -- the station of health services considered a haven for the ordinary citizen?”
“From time to time, columnists of daily newspapers reflect on issues and suggestions that require interaction and dialogue. The columnists are hoping to find the appropriate reaction and attention from the competent authorities,” columnist Dr Hind Al-Choumar wrote for Annahar daily.
“I hope the authorities responsible for promoting mass communication do not forget that what is presented in the media about a proposal or issue is often the result of gathering information and waiting for constructive dialogue.
“‘Media’ is the term used to refer to any medium, technology, organization, commercial or other non-profit public or private, official or informal entity whose mission is to disseminate news and information, in addition to entertainment.
“The media is considered the fourth authority due to its deep and wide impact on everything around us.
“A successful leader interacts with the media by benefiting from what is presented – ideas, opinions and advice, and not to be in the position of a stalker for anyone who expresses his opinion on social media as if he is telling them to refrain from talking. If such is the case, I do not want to hear your opinions.”