When compared with the same period in 2021, when it was around 23 million dinars, Kuwait's sales of tourism and travel agencies than doubled, reaching approximately 112 million dinars.

There are 430 travel offices in Kuwait, according to sources who spoke to a local Arabic newspaper. They noted that the increase in sales is due to the tourism and travel industry's recovery, the lifting of travel restrictions that had been put in place at most international locations following the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the desire of citizens and residents to travel again after a protracted break.

According to the same sources, Kuwaitis most frequently go to Turkey, Dubai, and different European nations, whereas most locals spend their summer vacations in their home country.The sales in February 2022 climbed by about 5.5 times to 22 million dinars from 3.36 million dinars in the same month of 2021. Additionally, it increased by 3.2 times last May to 27.74 million compared to 6.59 million in the same month of 2021, and by 5.1 times in April to 24.27 million compared to 3.96 million.

Engineer Saad Al-Otaibi, the Director-General of Civil Aviation's spokesperson and the Deputy Director-General for Planning and Projects Affairs, claimed that the country's epidemiological situation and the lifting of international travel bans would result in a daily passenger volume that exceeded everyone's expectations in the summer of 2022 and return to pre-Corona levels.

Between June 1 and September 30, he said, there would be a projected flow of around 6 million passengers, evenly split between arrivals and departures. Al-Otaibi stated that around 43,000 flights will transfer this enormous number of travellers to various locations, with 22,000 outgoing flights and approximately 21,000 arriving flights.

For some time now, banks have been witnessing a silent struggle to attract national labor, especially the most sought-after, which led to the introduction of sometimes undeserved adjustments to the salary scale granted to citizens, in an attempt to maintain the targeted national labor rates and raise the efficiency of their competition locally, reports Al-Rai daily. In this regard, banking said the demand for banking and financial services employees, and specialists in technology and automation work, has generally doubled, during the recent period, driven by an increase in the need for them more than ever, while the job of the head of the strategic planning and follow-up unit at the bank is especially important, with the Central Bank of Kuwait obligating banks to establish a unit headed by a Kuwaiti.

What increased the importance of this job segment was the rapid efforts of banks to shift towards digitalization, and to expand locally in the application of governance, at a time when it was noticed that these vacancies were few compared to what was required of them to the extent that could enable banks to maintain their competitive capabilities ignited in Kuwait.

Kuwaitization
The sources indicated that the banking policy makers are ready to pay high salaries to Kuwaiti employees to ensure that their institutions are provided with the largest amount necessary funds to conduct their businesses, and to enhance their superiority in banking competition over Kuwaitization. The sources put the total banking sector employees at about 16,500, while the announced data indicated that the average percentage of national employment in all local banks rose from 34.9% in 2000 to 76% at the end of 2021, and the total national workforce working in Kuwaiti banks increased from 1,543 workers in 2000 to 9,859 by the end of 2021, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%, while the total national employment in foreign bank branches increased from 112 workers in 2008 to 312 by the end of 2021. The number of Kuwaiti women working in the banking sector is 4,074 constituting 82.3 percent of the number of women working in the sector, and their number in Kuwaiti banks is 3,970 out of 4,810 female workers, or 82.5 percent.

The sources noted that some banks have recently resorted to offering generous offers to employees of other banks, especially Kuwaitis and that this behavior has recently grown, especially with regard to the jobs that are most in demand, in an attempt to lure more employees to fill their vacancies. The sources indicated that this situation led to rapid transfers between bank employees, specifically Kuwaitis, to the extent that some of them only continued in their job for a few months before moving to work in another bank, with a higher name and salary, although their job experience is usually less than the title they got, as well as the salary.

On the other hand, and during their competition for the ‘ghutra and iqal’, some banks are compelled to expose themselves to several risks, perhaps the most prominent of which is the loss of job loyalty, as the leakage of their employees increases to get a quick career leap in their career, which contributes to impeding the growth of human wealth to the hoped-for limits. One of the paradoxes of this case is that the demand for unskilled labor has not actually declined, but rather progressed in a number of areas. Some analyzes attribute the reason for this discrepancy to the increase in the functional value of the Kuwaiti component in banks.

 Employees at the Security and Firefighting Unit in Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) have been exempted from the English language test condition for promotion, reports Al-Rai daily. This came after the Labor Union at the company pointed out that knowledge of the English language was a prerequisite in the recruitment of the above mentioned employees, in addition to the training courses they need to complete throughout the service period.

A member of the union, Jadaan Abdullah Al-Mutairi, revealed to the daily that “more than 1,200 workers in the unit will benefit from the decision to cancel the English test condition for promotion.” He pointed out this is a remarkable achievement by all standards, considering that KOC gave its subsidiaries the freedom to implement what they deem appropriate in terms of promotions based on the nature of the business of each subsidiary. He affirmed the special nature of the functions of the Security and Firefighting Unit as it is the first line of defense, security and precaution against theft and tampering whether inside or outside the fields.

A new fleet of buses was inaugurated and a new logo was launched by Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.

KPTC CEO Mansour Al-Saad said the new logo is intended to emphasize and meet all customers' aspirations and needs by better expressing our advanced services.

In today's announcement, the company announces the launch of a new fleet of buses with the best technological specifications, which he hopes will meet the needs and expectations of customers, meet the highest safety and comfort standards, and keep pace with technological advancements.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait will be holding an open house on Wednesday, 29 June 2022 at 6 pm with Indian Ambassador Shri Sibi George regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the recruitment of domestic workers signed between India and Kuwait in June 2021, which has now been implemented.

A legal framework has now been established for India's domestic workers in Kuwait, allowing them to streamline their recruitment and benefit from legal protection. Employer and Domestic Workers are both guaranteed rights and obligations by an Employment Contract, including a mechanism that guarantees 24 hour assistance to Domestic Workers. There is also provision for the establishment of a Joint Committee to monitor the MoU's implementation and conduct periodic reviews and assessments.

The Open House is open to all Indian nationals living in Kuwait.

Those who wish to raise specific concerns may send their questions in advance by email to amboff.kuwait@mea.gov.in along with their full name as it appears in passport, passport number, civil identification number, contact number, and address in Kuwait.

New labor examination centers will be opened by the Ministry of Health at Mishref Exhibition grounds starting on Sunday.

As a result of the new center at Mishref, other centers will be less under pressure. With the new center, there will be a total capacity of 4,000 labor examinations per day, making it the largest center nationwide.

The pre-booked dates will determine the dates for the examinations at the new center to ensure smooth operation.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Dr. Hamad Rouh Al-Din, has referred 80 media outlets to the Public Prosecution during the past two weeks, to take the necessary legal measures, reports Al-Qabas daily. The decision also included withdrawing the licenses of 90 electronic newspapers for violations media-related laws.

According to the Ministry of Information, the decision came in implementation of the laws and legislation regulating media work, and a commitment to control media practice in line with responsible freedom and not to allow violating regulatory laws or slipping into media chaos.

The ministry spokesman, Anwar Murad, said the Media Violations Monitoring Committee recommended referring these media outlets, which include electronic newspapers and satellite channels, to the Public Prosecution for broadcasting and publishing news and explicitly violating the media laws (the audio-visual law, the print and publications law and the law on regulating electronic media). The committee has revoked the licenses of the violating electronic newspapers.

Meanwhile, the sources indicated that the Ministry, through the recently formed Media Violations Monitoring Committee, monitors all news accounts, electronic newspapers and satellite channels to ensure compliance with the laws regulating this matter. The committees also stressed on the need to investigate accuracy in publishing news and verify it through official sources, stressing the Ministry’s intention to directly address any media outlet found violating regulatory laws.

According to local Arabic media outlet Al-Rai, the Ministry of Health is getting ready to officially announce the release of the fourth dose of the Corona vaccination.

 The fourth dose will reportedly be voluntary and in compliance with laws, including giving it to the populations most at risk for infection, such as those with chronic conditions, the elderly, and those who have received the third dose for a predetermined amount of time.

From July 1, 2022, the central government is likely to enact a number of new labour legislation. There will be significant adjustments to take-home pay, working hours, employee provident fund (EPF) contributions, and annual leaves, among other things, if everything goes according to plan.

Although there has been talk that these new labour laws will go into effect the following month, no formal announcement has yet been made. According to the government, the laws will improve employment opportunities and encourage investment in the nation.

• Hours of operation and days offEmployees will only be required to work four days per week as a result of the new labour laws. Employees must, however, put in 12 hours every day on those four working days.

The 48-hour weekly work requirement must be reached, the labour ministry had previously stated, if and when the proposal is approved. The restrictions provided by a state government may vary from state to state, but this will be applicable to any industry.

The clause would also specify three weekly days off, which most likely would be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

• Paycheck amount and PF contributions

The labour regulations take on additional relevance from the perspective of the workers because, once adopted, take-home pay will decrease. However, the corporations will be held more accountable for provident funds.

According to the provisions of the new regulations, the employees' basic pay must equal 50% of their gross pay. The employer's and employee's PF contributions will go up as a result.

• Monthly leaves

The government has also attempted to rationalize the types of leaves that employees can take while still employed. The practices of carrying over unused time to the following year and cashing out leave while still employed are also being rationalized. The minimum number of days of employment needed to qualify for leaves has been lowered under the new labour laws from 240 to 180.

The amount of paid time off, which is one day for every 20 days worked, won't alter, though. Similar to this, no modification has been suggested to the 30-day limit on carrying over and forwarding of leaves.

According to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) would launch a new version, PSP V2.0, to ensure a digital ecosystem among all stakeholders.The minister of external affairs, the Indian government is trying to implement electronic passports that would facilitate foreign travel and provide security against identity theft.

Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the citizen experience and public service while speaking on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas, which was observed on June 24. In order to establish a digital ecosystem among all stakeholders and provide improved passport services to people, the Minister stated that the Ministry's Passport Seva Programme (PSP) will begin on an updated and improved version of PSP V2.0.

Through standardised and liberalised processes, the new system would provide seamless end-to-end governance. Use cutting-edge developing technology, such as chatbots, big data, sophisticated analytics, etc. "The Ministry is also preparing to bring out e-passports for Indian people," he said. "These will facilitate foreign travel and allow protection against identity theft as well as enhanced data security."

The Minister added that a paperless documentation procedure has been made possible by the integration of the DigiLocker technology with the Passport Seva System. "The Ministry operationalized 428 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) to reach our residents at their doorsteps in partnership with the Department of Posts. In 178 of our embassies and consulates overseas, the Ministry has effectively linked the systems for issuing passports, he continued.

In honour of the Passport Seva Divas 2022, he remarked, "It gives me tremendous pleasure to join all our passport issuing authorities in India and overseas." The Minister of External Affairs said, "Even during the difficult periods of the COVID-19 epidemic, passport services were provided. With a monthly average of 900,000 passports issued and 450,000 more applications approved in the previous month, the government broke a record while addressing the increased demand brought on by the epidemic.

The issue of the Integrated Tax System (ITAS), which the Ministry of Finance seeks to introduce, has returned to the fore, as the ministry is now required to take its final decision regarding the company that will undertake this important step in the tax sector in the ministry before the date of next July 8, reports Al-Anba daily. The tax sector’s endeavor in the Ministry of Finance to introduce the Integrated Tax Management System (ITAS), comes within the framework of the continuous development processes of the sector, while these systems were specifically identified as helping the Ministry in managing the current tax laws, and any other laws that may be introduced in the future.

In this regard, “al-Anbaa” learned, through its informed sources, that the Ministry of Finance received a single financial offer regarding the practice of supplying, installing and operating the Integrated Tax Management System (ITAS), and that the bid submitted in connection with this practice came at a cost that may reach about 5.5 million dinars. And that the Ministry of Finance has a period that extends until mid- July to study the bid, make appropriate recommendations and take the appropriate decision in this regard.

The tax administration in the Ministry of Finance began ambitious projects years ago to develop its business, which included providing advisory services for the development of tax administration and the selection of a suitable company to provide the integrated tax management system and related services, as well as providing project management, change management and quality assurance services during the development of the Integrated tax administration system in the ministry.

Through these advisory services, the ministry aims to study the current status of taxation procedures, evaluate the current organizational structure, prepare a report based on the current and future situation and provide the necessary recommendations and prepare a future vision for the taxation model, develop the engineering structure for information systems, design future work procedures, and develop the structure including preparing the job description, preparing the request for proposals to select a suitable system and supplier for the development of the integrated tax management system and related electronic services.

According to informed educational sources, the residency of a teacher or administrator will not be renewed without the payment of fines for traffic violations, reports Al-Anba daily.

They said the Ministry of Education has called on schools of all educational stages to inform this decision to those who wish to renew their residency.

The sources explained that the ministry has issued a number of instructions that need to be followed when applying for residency renewal. They are –

1. The residency cannot be renewed three months before the expiry date.
2. An appointment must be booked through the Ministry of Education website – https://moe.edu.kw.
3. The individual concerned must be present in person and they must adhere to the specified date.
4. The documents required for renewal are –
a. Form No. 1 approved by the school principal or the assistant principal and with the school’s stamp on it.
b. The original passport and civil ID, as well as a copy of each.
c. Printout of the traffic violations
d. A copy of the last stamp of entry into Kuwait.

Deputy Director General for Hawalli and Al-Ahmadi Governorates Sector Affairs at Kuwait Municipality Fahad Al-Shatili confirmed the intensification of inspection tours and control campaigns in all governorates on private and investment housing areas to prevent the use of basements as warehouses in violation of regulations and laws. In a press statement today, Wednesday, after presiding over the joint meeting with the Deputy Chief of the General Fire Brigade for the Prevention Sector, Major General Khaled Fahd, and the directors of the municipality’s branches in all governorates, Al-Shatili said that using basements as warehouses poses a danger to lives and property if they are used for purposes other than those for which they are licensed.

For his part, Major General Fahd stated, according to the statement, that the implementation of the joint inspection campaigns will target real estate in private and investment housing, after it was found through monitoring and follow-up to the use of basements in private and investment housing for a purpose other than what was authorized. At the conclusion of the meeting, they called on the supervisory teams not to be lenient by taking all legal measures against violators and to deter anyone who might be tempted to endanger lives and property. (KUNA)