KUWAIT CITY, July 26: MP Adnan Abdulsamad has called on His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid to cancel what he regards as random and illogical decision issued by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to obligate expatriates -- who are 60 years old and above -- to pay KD2,000 for the renewal of their work permits. He pointed out this decision is aimed at covering the real reasons behind the lopsided demographic structure issue, warning this will increase the cost of technical services.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim congratulated Abdullah Al-Rashedi for winning the bronze medal for Kuwait in the skeet shooting competition at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Al-Ghanim said the victory of Al-Rashedi proves that the Kuwaiti youths are capable of having great achievements especially in the field of sports. In another development, Al-Ghanim greeted Speaker of the Parliament of Maldives (People’s Majlis) Muhammad Nasheed on the occasion of the National Day of Maldives. On the other hand, the parliamentary Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee will discuss the return to school plan for year 2021/2022 on Tuesday.

Committee Chairman MP Hamad Al- Matar disclosed that senior officials at the ministries of Education and Higher Education, Kuwait University and private universities will attend the meeting; as well as the representatives of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He affirmed the committee is keen on reopening schools and universities in the upcoming academic year, indicating the health protocols should be strictly implemented like arranging classes throughout the week to limit the number of students in each classroom and social distancing. He warned that closing schools for a long period is more harmful than covid-19.

Also, Al-Matar clarified on his Twitter account that the recent decision to close facilities providing services to children is not applicable to nurseries. He urged the Ministry of Social Affairs to remain committed to its decision to open nurseries because of the essential services they provide to families. He revealed the ministry submitted its pledge regarding the opening of nurseries to the committee before the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Moreover, MP Thamer Al-Suwait submitted a bill to establish the Public Authority for Urban Planning that will be affiliated to the Ministry of Finance with an independent budget. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff