KUWAIT CITY, Dec 6: Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is ready to transfer commercial visa applications by all companies to work permits provided the personnel hold the nationalities of countries approved by the General Department of Immigration, citing EU countries, and countries in North and South America with Japan, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The daily quoting the Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Jamal Al-Dosari noted that the decision covers all companies on government contracts, and the move has become necessary in order to serve the private sector companies equally and in fairness. He noted a memo is being prepared to include the private companies in this decision, which is among the best resolutions the ministry is currently studying to organize the process of transferring commercial and tourist visas to work permits, indicating the process has been suspended since Sept 1, 2011.

Al-Dosari said “we are waiting for the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and the Undersecretary of Labor to return from their overseas trip, and the memo will be presented for approval in the coming days”. At the same time, he denied the decision will include other nationalities and Arabs.

Meanwhile, Al-Dosari stressed on the need to provide the files of employees’ salaries while submitting their applications for visa transfer, adding that no transaction will be completed without them. He maintained the procedure will reflect seriousness of the company or institution in that concern, while preserving the rights of personnel.

In a related development, the Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs in Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Mansour Al-Mansour indicated a joint committee of representatives from the ministry and Cabinet’s women affairs committee will implement a project aimed at rehabilitating the legislative environment to support women in obtaining their legal and career rights.

Al-Mansour explained the committee will focus on laws that determine the political, civil and social rights of Kuwaiti women. Later, an elaborate memo will be sent to the Council of Ministers for adequate procedures, he noted.

With reference to the legal status of a child, Al-Mansour said several laws discuss the issue, touching on the life of children and their relationship with society. He disclosed a related draft law has been prepared by Cabinet and submitted to the ministry to take the necessary action.