June 19, 1961 has always been engraved in hearts and minds of the Kuwaiti people. It was the day the State of Kuwait announced its independence and sovereignty as an Arab nation. The historic day marked the beginning of modern Kuwait. It was the day when the declaration of independence was signed and the protectorate treaty with the British Government ended, the first step towards prosperity and development. The late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah realized that the protectorate treaty, signed by Sheikh Mubarak Al- Sabah in 1899, was not valid anymore because of the development of the political and economic conditions in the State of Kuwait. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem announced the cancellation of the treaty by signing the declaration of independence with the British Government Chief Political Resident in the Arabian Gulf Sir George Middleton.

Memorable
“On this memorable day of our beloved nation, on which we move from one phase to another of history and fold another page of the past with all its components and contents, to open a new page represented in this declaration which you read now, whereby Kuwait gained its full independence and sovereignty,” Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem said after signing the declaration. The first independence anniversary was held in 1962, and a decree was signed on May 18, 1964 which merged the national day with the day in which Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem assumed office, making it February 25. Celebrations were held on the day as of 1965. Since assuming office in 1950, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem took carefully studied steps towards independence, achieving stability and instructing the writing of the nation’s Constitution. On September 7, 1961, an Amiri decree was signed specifying the shape and colors of the Flag of Kuwait. The State of Kuwait became member in the Arab League on July 20, 1961. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem signed a decree on August 26, 1961 to hold elections of the Constituent Assembly, which had a mandate of writing a constitution. The 183-article constitution was completed in nine months.

Progress
The Constitution was a gift for the Kuwaiti people, putting them on path of progress and prosperity as well as offering a new democratic life. The 15-year reign of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, who was called “father of independence” and “father of constitution”, was full of achievements. The State of Kuwait accomplished 43 laws and legislations, including the nationality law, monetary law, passports law and the organization of government departments. New departments were established in order to cope with the development of the nation, like public works, health, publication, knowledge, municipality, post and telephone, electricity and water, social affairs, awqaf, radio and television. Over 61 years, the State of Kuwait took steady strides towards comprehensive development, supporting international legitimacy and human rights, rejecting interference in affairs of other countries, as well as being a strong believer in the role of the UN in protecting international peace and security. (KUNA):

The real estate data issued by the Turkish authorities show Kuwaitis ranked fourth in terms of foreigners buying real estate in Turkey last May, reports Al-Qabas daily. Data issued by the Turkish Statistical Institution indicated that Kuwaitis bought 130 properties last May, ranking fourth, while Russians topped the list by purchasing 1,275 properties, and Iranians came in second place with 736 properties, then Iraqis with 617 properties.

The data added Istanbul topped the Turkish city selling real estate to foreigners last May, with 2,451 properties sold and followed by Antalya overlooking the Mediterranean with 885 properties followed by Mersin with 264 properties. The sources indicated that real estate sales to foreigners increased 70 percent from January to May, compared to the same period in 2021, when 26,753 properties were sold. The TSI announced last January that Kuwaitis ranked seventh in terms of foreigners buying real estate in Turkey last year, buying 1,791 properties.

The traders at the Sharq fish market had recently received the news that the prices of imported fish had been raised. However, they did not believe it until after some cartons were received. They were surprised by the increase in the prices by more than 40 percent, which adds to the already-existing challenges with the consumers, reports Al-Anba daily. The fish cartons from Turkey had the lion’s share, as a trader must pay KD 30 for a carton of 500 kilograms of fish and sell it at KD 33. The previous price was KD 22 and was sold at KD 22.5.

As for cartons containing 600 to 800 fish and of weight 700 or 800 kilograms, the trader used to buy them at KD 25 or KD 26 each carton, and sold at KD 3 per kilogram. It is currently bought for KD 34, and sold at KD 3.4 or KD 3.750 to the consumer. Cartons with 1,000 fish were bought by traders for KD 27, but they now cost KD 39. Consumers buy them at KD 4.250 per kilogram.

As for Norwegian fish, the traders buy them at KD 100 per carton, and a kilogram of the fish was sold for KD 5. But now it costs KD 5,250 per kilogram. Both traders and consumers expressed displeasure and resentment, as the traders were not informed of the price hike at such a rate, and the consumers ended up accusing the sellers of being greedy and crooks.

This prompted the traders to appeal to the concerned authorities through the daily to intervene, reduce and control the prices, protect the consumers, and put up fish in auctions or prevent the import of fish from Turkey. Some traders explained to the daily that what is happening has caused a lack of confidence in them and a decrease in the rate of customers by 20 percent. They explained that they pay KD 600 as rent, and KD 900 for three workers, with the absence of a local competitor to the importer, adding that the increase is from the source. The trader revealed that the price of porgy fish is KD 4, silvery croaker KD 4, and greasy grouper KD 7.

The country’s labor force decreased by 111,000 workers in the past year, according to official statistics issued on Wednesday by the Central Statistical Bureau concerning the labor market, reports Al-Qabas daily. The total labor force in the private and public sectors in Kuwait amounted to 1.8 million male and female workers as of the end of December 2021, compared to 1.993 million workers in the previous year. While the number of Kuwaiti workers in the labor market increased, the number of non-Kuwaiti workers of both genders declined as of the end of 2021 to 1.452 million, which is a decrease of about 134,000 workers from the previous year.

On the other hand, the number of Kuwaiti workers in the Kuwaiti labor market increased to 430,128 workers as of December 2021, which is an increase of 24,000 from the previous year. This led to an increase in the percentage of Kuwaiti workers in the total labor market to about 22.8 percent compared to 77.2 percent of non-Kuwaiti workers. This is considered progress for Kuwaiti workers, as their share in the labor market as of the end of 2020 was about 20.4 percent compared to 79.6 percent of non-Kuwaitis.

PAM may suspend transferring work permits to newly recruited out-of-country workers after three years, according to Al-Seyassah.

According to the paper, workers are able to transfer to the same category after this three-year period. More than 28 activities are included in this list, including government-owned companies or those in which they contribute more than 25 percent, as well as hospitals, pharmacies, medical laboratories, banks, insurance companies, banks, private colleges, universities, private schools, and training institutes.

The list includes nurseries, sports clubs, trade unions, cooperative societies, cooperative trading societies, nonprofits, charities, engineering, legal, and financial consulting firms, broadcasting stations, farming, fisheries, sheep and camels, newspaper and magazine publishing, and commercial real estate.

From Wednesday, 15 June, 2022, the outsource center in Fahaheel for passports, visas, and counselors of the Indian Embassy will be open to the public according to the revised working hours.

From Saturday to Thursday, the Fahaheel BLS center at Al Anoud Shopping Complex, Mecca Street, will be open from 8 A.M. until 6 P.M. Tokens will be issued at 5.15 P.M. There will be no service on Friday.

The BLS center at Kuwait city will continue to work from 7.30 A.M. till 9.30 P.M. on Saturdays through Thursdays, and from 2.30 P.M. through 9.30 P.M. on Fridays. The last token issuance will be tonight at 8:45 p.m.

For assistance, please call +96522211228 (Phone) and for WhatsApp (+96565506360).

They discovered a number of serious violations in some clinics in Hawally governorate, while the joint committee of PAM, Medicine Inspection Department, and Medical Licensing Department of the Ministry of Health raided them. Among these are practicing medicine without a license, hiring unauthorized employees, and selling expired medical supplies.

 PAM and MoH have both confirmed that the Asians operating in Salmiya clinics are neither doctors nor medical technicians. During the joint inspection, many domestic workers were found to be practicing nursing. Another doctor was found to have been practicing with a license and work permit that had expired for over a year.

Unlicensed providers of dermatology and beauty services were found in the clinic. Additionally, the inspectors found a large number of expired and unregistered medicines, food supplements, and cosmetics from unknown sources, as well.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has resolved the controversy over who must shoulder the cost of the ticket when recruiting domestic workers by setting the recruitment fee at KD890, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting sources. Sources clarified that with this recruitment fee, the domestic labor recruitment office shall shoulder the ticket cost for domestic labor recruitment requests submitted after April 19, 2022.

Sources confirmed the recommendation to include the ticket cost in the recruitment fee was presented after the ministry’s meeting with the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). Sources said this is in response to complaints about the confusion on who should bear the ticket cost – whether the employer or the recruitment office. Sources added the ministry has stressed the need for recruitment offices to abide by Ministerial Resolution number 33 of 2021, which specifies the recruitment fees.

Sources warned the ministry will not hesitate in taking legal action against those proven to have violated the resolution or those who claim that domestic workers are not available. Sources said this could lead to immediate withdrawal of the commercial license in order to protect the rights of all concerned parties.

Director General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmed Al-Manfouhi recently issued a circular on impounding mobile vehicles whose owners have been proven to have violated the regulations and vehicles parked in vacant lots for the purpose of selling them, reports Al-Anba daily. The daily obtained a copy of the circular, stating that these vehicles will be sold in a public auction after three months.

In the circular, Al-Manfouhi pointed out it has been observed that some mobile vehicles are parked in areas other than those licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; thereby, causing traffic jams, distorting the civilized appearance of the roads, and disturbing people in residential areas. He clarified this is also in response to complaints about vehicles for sale, particularly the possibility of exposing the public to the danger of falling victim to the illegal acts of some individuals.

He then instructed the directors of Municipality branches and heads of the concerned departments to take the following steps in their respective areas:

First: For mobile vehicles parked in areas other than those licensed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, legal action must be taken in accordance with Article VI of Ministerial Resolution number 30 of 2021 on impounding such vehicles.

Second: For vehicles parked in vacant lots for the purpose of selling them, the following legal measures are stipulated in Article Nine of Ministerial Resolution number 190 of 2008 on sanitation and waste transport and its amendments:
1. Abandoned and scrap vehicles must be transferred to areas specified by the Municipality as it is not permissible to leave them on the streets, sidewalks and public squares.
2. Vehicles offered for sale should not be parked on streets and public squares. The Municipality will initially issue a warning to the owners of these vehicles to remove them within 24 hours

The Ministry of Interior is making every effort to work on deporting residency violators as soon as possible in order to avoid overcrowding in police stations and deportation prisons, with the aim of ensuring security and eliminating marginalized and violating workers, reports Al-Rai daily. The ministry carried out intensive campaigns to apprehend violators in the past few days based on instructions from the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf, and the Undersecretary of the ministry Lieutenant General Anwar Al- Barjas, and the follow-up and supervision of the Undersecretary of the Public Security Sector in the ministry Major General Farraj Al-Zoubi.

According to sources in the ministry, the recent security campaigns achieved public satisfaction in Kuwait, especially since residency violators and criminal record holders represent a source of danger to citizens and residents. They affirmed that all violators are dealt with in accordance with the law and regulations, and they are referred to the General Administration of Deportation in preparation for their deportation to their country, which include taking their fingerprints so that they are unable to return to the country.

The sources highlighted the existence of security coordination among the various sectors of the Ministry of Interior in order to ensure the success of the security plan set by the ministry to cordon off some of the previously monitored sites, stressing that no violator will escape under the eyes of the police. They indicated a tendency to immediately deport the expatriates who have their passports, adding, “In case the passports are with the sponsors or employers, they will be contacted to surrender them. Those who do not have passports, the relevant authorities will coordinate with the embassies to obtain a temporary travel document in the event of delays in obtaining the violator’s passport”.

Detainees
The sources revealed that the number of detainees in the deportation center is 1,500 (950 men and 550 women). They explained that, despite the deportation of about 12,500 expatriates since the beginning of the current year, the General Administration of Deportation is doing its best with its limited capabilities. It deports about 200 people per day, but the number of those being arrested could reach about 400.

The deportation center is a detention center where they wait for their deportation process to be completed. The police in the General Administration of Deportation are exerting great efforts to care for the deportees. This is based on instructions from their director to deal humanely with the deportees and to help some of them by giving them money so that they can return to their countries.

The Talha deportation center was the former Talha Prison in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area. According to statistics issued by the Public Security Sector, 653 violators were arrested at security checkpoints in just six days. The number of criminals arrested was 18, absconding expatriates 222, residency violators 432, and those without identification 294.

Also, 43 wanted vehicles were impounded. In addition, 52 people were arrested for drug abuse, and 15 for liquor possession. The reports from the governorates reached 2,263. A total of 1,976 traffic citations were issued, four violating vehicles were seized, and 826 assistance reports were issued.

The number of traffic accidents was 692. No traffic violations were recorded with regard to parking lots for disabled people. The number of people detained in police stations reached 501. The sources highlighted that this security activity happens through the presence of public security patrols and their deployment in all governorates of the country, as well as the distribution of foot patrol teams and the implementation of impromptu campaigns during the dawn period, which came as a great blow on those who are on the wrong side of the law.

At its Mina Abdullah garage in Kuwait, Municipality plans to sell-off 687 abandoned cars using sealed envelope auctions.

This information was revealed by the municipality, according to Al-Anba daily. The municipality explained that these vehicles are categorized in three categories: one category consists of 240 vehicles, another includes 227 vehicles, and the third includes 220 vehicles with license plates.

All interested parties are encouraged to personally inspect the cars at the Municipality's garage in Mina Abdullah on June 15 after 12:00PM.

Reports from Al Rai Arabic news paper suggest that the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy plans to replace all street lights across the country with energy-saving LED lights.

According to reports, Kuwaiti authorities will replace the old street lights in the main roads and the inner areas of the country with LED lights in an effort to reduce consumption of energy. It is anticipated that the country will be able to save nearly 70 percent of the energy consumed by street lights through this implementation.

About 70,000 streetlights will be charged, according to sources. Additionally, LED street lights are 10 times more durable than conventional lighting and save energy.

In an article in a local newspaper, it was reported that ten expat women and a doorkeeper would be deported from Kuwait for their involvement in immoral acts.

After a raid on a building covering the women up, the vice squad arrested the women, including an Asian keeper of the building, Al Anba reported, citing the ministry. Those convicted will be deported.

In an article Al Anba mentioned instructions that had been given to the Kuwaiti Criminal Security Sector to deal with prostitution offenses firmly and to deport any expatriate who is caught performing immoral acts without informing the authorities beforehand.

A recent crackdown on illegal expats by Kuwaiti cop has been carried out as part of efforts to expose violators of its residency and labour laws.

In the same newspaper last month, it was reported that Kuwaiti authorities are likely to fine sponsors of foreigners who entered Kuwait on visitor visas but did not depart in violation of rules. A 2 year ban on sponsoring visas could be imposed on those sponsors.

The Criminal Court sentenced an employee at the General Traffic Department in the Ministry of Interior to 10 years in prison in absentia and fined him KD200,000 for embezzling public money. Case files indicate that the employee, who is currently outside the country, embezzled KD68,000 as he collected fines for traffic violations and deposited the collected amount into his personal account instead of the ministry’s account.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies

Despite the government’s efforts to enhance food security, control markets, and avoid any shortage of basic commodities, consumers have been complaining about the continued scarcity of chicken in cooperative societies and parallel markets, reports Al-Qabas daily. Inspection teams of several government agencies, including the Committee on the Food Security System, conducted a tour recently after an increase in the complaints from consumers and officials of cooperative societies alike about the great shortage of chicken and chicken products.

The tour revealed the existence of an artificial crisis by some supplier companies, which refrained from supplying the markets with its products in order to increase the prices by 20 percent. This was confirmed to the daily by officials. The tour, which was launched under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Social Affairs in some cooperative societies, revealed an abundance of some products and a severe shortage in others, especially local poultry products. Despite the assurances of government officials about the availability of goods and the abundance of food stocks, the commercial advisor to the Zahra Cooperative Society Abdul Rasoul Sarkhouh revealed that there is a problem in the process of supplying local poultry products to the cooperative societies.

Shortage
On the sidelines of the tour, he disclosed that the problem in the shortage of poultry and the current crisis is an artificial one caused by local poultry companies, which are refraining from providing supermarkets with their products due to their request for an increase in prices. He added, “We rejected this demand to increase the poultry prices. Consequently, some local companies refused to supply, which created a shortage in the quantities required for display within cooperative societies. At the same time, the products of companies are widely available and cover a long period. The cooperative societies are the first line of defense for the strategic stockpile in Kuwait, and have a monthly plan to provide the stock according to the current conditions that Kuwait is going through”.

The Assistant Undersecretary for the Cooperative Sector in the Ministry of Social Affairs Hiyam Al-Khudair said the food stock is sufficient and reassuring, indicating that there is price control by the Ministry of Commerce, and keenness to follow it up by the relevant committees. Regarding poultry products, Al-Khudair explained that the matter is under study to figure out the reasons behind the lack of supply from the companies.

The ministry will develop solutions in this regard. The observations about the increase in prices and their disparity between cooperative societies relate to the mechanisms of some boards of directors. She said, “The Ministry of Social Affairs is monitoring the situation. No request for a price increase for any commodity was submitted by the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies”. Al-Khudair highlighted the monitoring on shortage of stock, adding, “In the event of deliberate violation of any commodity, the supermarkets responsible for this will be issued with a citation”. Head of the Consumer Protection Authority Mishal Al-Manea explained that the cooperative societies were divided according to locations to look into the price differences.