KUWAIT CITY, Jan 9: The National Assembly deliberated on the Amiri speech Wednesday during which the MPs stressed the need to develop education, raise the level of academic outputs, ensure job security and generate employment opportunities for the youths.

They said these are the basic duties of the government, but unfortunately, some governmental bodies have yet to comply with the State policy on replacing expatriate workers with nationals.

MP Adnan Abdulsamad affirmed every effort to guarantee job security and generate employment opportunities for the youths is respected and fully supported, yet the fact that foreign workers would not have entered the country if not for the demand of Kuwaiti individuals and companies should be taken into consideration as well.

He pointed out certain jobs cannot be done without foreign workers, calling on the Assembly to respect the dignity of people. Responding to her colleague, MP Safa Al-Hashem stressed nobody is disrespecting the dignity of foreign workers. She clarified the demand is for Kuwaitis to be prioritized in the job market.

In addition, the lawmakers emphasized the need to take into consideration the comments and warnings of others in order to rectify mistakes and intensify efforts in addressing issues. MP Ali Al-Deqbasi cited the recent stumble in parliamentary practices. He said if one is to drive towards the South starting from the new Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad causeway, one feels assured that the State is entering the new age of development; “but sadly, we still stumble in governing the country. Until when will we govern like the way it was done in the 1970s?”

Furthermore, the Assembly voted against lifting the immunity of MP Mohammad Hayef. This is contrary to the advice of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee which, earlier this week, approved the request of the Public Prosecution to lift the lawmaker’s immunity for him to stand trial in the electronic misdemeanor case filed against him.

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff