KUWAIT CITY, March 7: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved a proposal to increase by 20 to 30 percent the salaries of public sector workers not covered by the pay raise schemes implemented earlier, reports Al-Seyassah daily quoting sources.
Sources confirmed the commission took the decision in a meeting chaired Tuesday by Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shimali. Sources explained public sector workers whose contracts fall under the first, second and third categories will receive 20 percent salary increment, while those under the fourth to eighth categories will receive 30 percent.
Sources said the commission postponed until Saturday deliberations on the proposed pay raise for private sector Kuwaiti employees and retirees, as well as promotions and salary increment for workers in many government agencies like the Fatwa, Legislation and Customs departments; Kuwait Airways Corporation and the judicial workers. Sources added the increment for private sector workers will most likely range from KD 100 to KD 400.
Meanwhile, Al-Anba daily has reported that the five-hour marathon meeting of the commission ended with certain surprises, such as the approval of pay raise proposals for rank-and-file employees and the expatriates, who rarely enjoy such privileges. Besides the 20 to 30 percent salary increase for Kuwaitis with low income, the commission also endorsed the proposed KD 50 increment for expatriate workers but this is still subject to final approval.