Travel ban urged on corruption suspects

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: MP Safa’a Al-Hashem has forwarded questions to Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Fahad Mohamad Al-Afasi on the re-appointment of an expatriate legal affairs employee at the Coordination and Follow up Office without consulting the CSC.

She said the employee was terminated as per the decision issued on Aug 21, 2019 and was reappointed according to the decision issued on Jan 14, 2020. She pointed out that a total of KD 5,550 was paid to the employee as salary for the period between the termination and reappointment decisions.

She inquired about the reasons behind withdrawal of the to decision terminate the employee, the latter’s reappointment, and payment of salary for the period between the issuance of the two decisions.
Meanwhile, MP Abdulkareem Al- Kandari has presented a draft law for the Public Prosecution to impose travel ban on those accused of violating Article 24 of the Public Funds Protection Act, those accused of earning profits illegally as per Article 48 of the law on the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Public Authority (NAZAHA), and ministers facing lawsuits for grave violations.

Moreover, the parliamentary Priorities Committee prioritizes important draft laws and forwards recommendations on these draft laws to the National Assembly, says MP Ahmed Al-Fadl in response to citizens who complained about the alleged delay in discussing such draft laws through social media platforms.

Al-Fadl clarified that the role of the committee is not obligatory according to Article 43 of the decree on its formation. He affirmed the National Assembly Office takes into consideration the committee’s recommendations but a parliamentary session usually starts with the discussion of four items in the agenda before moving to other items. He stressed the problem is not the committee and it is not the mistake of the office or Assembly Speaker.

He revealed the problem is that some MPs submitted requests to allot part of the sessions for discussing issues like corona virus and the deal of the century before tackling the urgent bills. He added the Assembly approved such requests and no one can change its decision.

In addition, MP Osama Al-Shaheen has submitted a draft law amending Law No. 15/1979 on organizing the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Besides Al-Shaheen, MPs Dr Homoud Al-Khudair, Farraj Zebn Al- Erbeid, Abdulwahab Al-Babtain and Omar Al-Tabtabaei signed the draft law to ensure it is included in the priorities of the Assembly.

The draft law stipulates adding an article to the abovementioned law to prevent the reshuffling of female employees, unless they request it, while they are on maternity leave or other leave days to take care of their child or for other family related reasons.

In the explanatory note of the bill, Al-Shaheen disclosed he decided to submit the proposal after noticing that female employees are being reshuffled against their will while they are on leave for family reasons like giving birth as if they are being

punished for taking maternity leave which is one of their rights. He cited Article Nine of the Constitution which stresses the importance of the family as a unit of the society and the duty of the State to protect it.

Talking about the draft laws on social security and retirees’ loans, Al-Shaheen said the government, represented by State Minister for Services Affairs and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Mubarak Salem Al-Harees and Minister of Finance and State Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al- Aqeel, is keen on discussing these draft laws in the session slated for Feb 18, 2020.

He called on the government to keep its promise and respond to public and parliamentary demands in this regard.

On the other hand, MP Majed Al- Mutairi has submitted queries to Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water Dr Khaled Ali Al-Fadhel about the lack of training programs for Kuwaitis working in companies which have contracts with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC).

He wants to know the reason behind KOC’s decision to appoint a retired employee at Baker Hughes Company as director or supervisor of Kuwaiti employees. He added the retired employee was appointed in the interest of the foreign company.