MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf

KUWAIT: MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf continued to slam ministers for appointing expats in senior positions in their offices and departments under them instead of hiring citizens. Following his inquiry from Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Subaih a few days ago about appointing an Egyptian man in her office as a 'senior specialist,' he also inquired from the Minister of Justice and Awqaf Yaaqoub Al-Sane about hiring non-Kuwaiti advisors.

Health insurance

The parliament's legislative committee is due to discuss the amendments suggested to article one of a law about establishing the family support fund in its meeting today. The committee is also scheduled to discuss amending article 12 of law number 1/1999 pertaining with health insurance for expats and imposing fees on health services. Meanwhile, the parliamentary financial affairs committee is due to discuss the amendments suggested to the commercial agencies law, added the sources, noting that the committee would meet by the end of this week with Minister of Commerce and Industry Yousif Al-Ali.

E-media law

MP Ahmed Al-Qudhaibi stressed his rejection of the e-media law and called for restudying the law carefully and passing it in accordance to the constitution that highlights freedom of expression, media and personal liberties within the limits of general laws and regulations. "The law was not given enough time for discussion in parliament and many proposed amendments were ignored," he underlined, pointing out that the law violates articles 36 and 37 of the constitution.

'Ahwaz' nation

MP Majed Moussa Al-Mutairi urged the international community to recognize Ahwaz state and consider it an Arab state that has been occupied by Iran for over 90 years. "People in Ahwaz have been suffering discrimination and genocide since its occupation. People are hung and executed on a daily basis," he underlined, calling for allowing Ahwaz to join the Arab League. He also called for holding an international conference to be attended by all members of the Iranian opposition and Ahwazis.

Egyptian manpower 'OK'

Egyptian Manpower Minister Jamal Sorour stressed that Egyptian laborers working in Kuwait have no problems and that they receive utmost care from the manpower authority. Speaking to reporters after touring Mubarak Al-Kabeer labor department, Sorour said that Egyptians were facing minor problems that were dealt with by the manpower authority. He added that his ministry and the manpower authority would be electronically linked to regulate hiring Egyptians and fight visa trafficking. On his part, Mubarak Al-Kabeer labor department manager Hassan Al-Khodor welcomed the minister's visit and said that the minister was briefed on statistics of the services the department provided.

University meeting

Kuwait University's higher council is due to meet on Tuesday under Education Minister Badr Al-Essa. This meeting will be the first for the new rector Dr Hussein Al-Ansari, who was appointed in December. In another concern, the ministry denied any official decision to reduce the number of scholarships.

Frost damage

Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) Chairman Faisal Al-Hasawi toured Wafra farms escorted by the Chairman of Kuwait Farmers Association Hadi Al-Watri to inspect the damage caused by the recent frost and report accordingly to compensate farmers.

By A Saleh