The Economic Impact Of Coronavirus On The Private Sector

The bill was passed about dealing with the economic impact of corona virus on the
private sector.The bill allows the employer to reach an agreement with some or all
employees to reduce their salaries during the lock down period by 50 percent
maximum; but not lower than the minimum salary in Kuwait, while the actual work
hours are taken into consideration.The national assembly dismissed the government
proposal to allow employer in the private sector to cut the 50% of the salary of the
employees.Among 48 MP present in the assembly on Wednesday,34 voted against
the bill,13 voted in favor and 1 remained obstrained. This bill could not help in
tackling the situation of coronavirus.

Bill stated that employer of the private sector can negotiate with some employees or
all the employees to cut the salary to 50% or remain unpaid during the period of
compulsory lockdown.

The Bill specified that government will compensate the reduced salary to the
national employees by granting them financial support equal to the amount of salary
deducted in addition to the regular national labour subsidy.

The Assembly approved the bill on amending the Penal Code in order to grant the
mother, in addition to the guardian (father), the right to sign the waiver if a patient
needs surgery or any medical procedure. Granting the above mentioned right to the
mother in this bill only because another bill on amending the Medical Profession Law
is currently under discussion in the Health and Social Affairs Committee. This bill
permit the wife, sister, first and second degree relatives to sign the waiver in addition
to the guardian.

The Assembly also approved the bill on opposing family violence in its first reading
with 38 MPs voting in favour, while six voted against and one abstained. The bill is
an amendment of Law No. 16/1960 on family violence, in which a new article will be
added stipulating that the penalties shall be doubled on a member of the family who
attacks another member if the victim is a minor, mentally challenged or elderly.

In addition, the Assembly also voted in favour of the bill on organizing Kuwait Fire
Service Directorate. It grants additional privileges to firefighters such as the
establishment of a special hospital for them with a research unit focusing on relevant
injuries and diseases. According to the bill, a firefighter who has been in service for
more than 15 years shall be promoted to lieutenant. It stipulates the military nature of

the fire fighters Force. It grants the firefighting force judicial arrest power and allows
them to inspect public places to ensure strict compliance with the regulations.
Eviction

In the mean while there are certain bills passed in Kuwaiti assembly, most important
were

Bill of Eviction, according to the bill, if the Tenant did not use the premises for
mandatory Lockdown period of 3 months during the pandemic, this is basically for
commercial premises, where there was no Business Activity for 3 months, if any
Landlord makes any plea, the judiciary can decide the payment terms, case to case
basis. The bills was supported by 51 MPs & 3 against the same

Another important bills, which passed in this session was Right to Information,
according to the Bill, any citizen can ask information from the concerned department
of his concern, except Information related to National Security & Defense. The Bill is
passed with 44 MPs in support & opposed by only 11.The ministry in this has the
right to provide information or reject, though citizens can plea from the council of
ministers on such non co-operation & even they can go to the court against the
decision of No Information on any subject other than the 2 mentioned above.
Furthermore, another bill related to certain irregularities in Oil Sector, moreover the
Fact Finding committee of the Parliament submitted a report of 90 pages on Fake
Appointment & financial irregularities, 11 odd cases has been referred in this regard,
this document is supported by 44 MPs & opposed by 11.

The Speaker of the Assembly expressed the concern about Labnani People who
went through a massive Bomb Explosion. He thanked the Kuwaiti Govt & Red
Crescent Society for prompt action of sending Medical Aid to the friendly nation. The
Assembly also prayed from Allah for Speedy recovery of the injured & Mercy on the
victims.

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