By A Saleh

KUWAIT: An Ethiopian labor delegation is due to arrive to Kuwait by the end of this month to discuss the mechanism of sending Ethiopian domestic helpers to work in the Gulf state according to conditions to be set and accepted by both countries, said informed sources. The sources added that the delegation briefed Kuwaiti officials about their conditions including a minimum monthly salary of KD 100, a weekly day off, ensuring human rights in terms of living conditions and good treatment, compensation in case of harm, free flight tickets for vacations and a one-way ticket on terminating the contract.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti side conditioned that maids be qualified for the job and be free of any health or psychological disorders, which had caused problems for some Kuwaiti families, including assaults. Further, the sources said both sides might agree on using certain domestic labor agencies or Al-Durra company to recruit the Ethiopian maids after subjecting them to medical tests in Ethiopia under the supervision of Kuwait's embassy there. "Ethiopia stressed that it has organized special training courses for laborers wishing to work abroad," the sources added, noting that the ban on Ethiopian maids could be lifted by the middle of this year if both sides manage to reach an agreement.

Iran holds fishermen
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have detained three Kuwaiti fishing boats with 11 fishermen on board over charges of entering Iranian national waters, said Anadolu News Agency. According to the agency, the three boats approached the coast of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province, where the fishermen were arrested and referred to courts after interrogation. In this regard, Kuwaiti diplomatic sources stressed that none of the fishermen is Kuwaiti and that they are all Asians. "Procedures are ongoing according to norms in such cases and both the fishermen and boats will be released soon," the sources underlined.

'Unified' break
Minister of Education Saud Al-Harbi ordered forming a special committee to study synchronizing the midterm vacation for students of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Kuwait University (KU) and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). The committee headed by Harbi himself includes elements from MoE, KU and PAAET to study the possibility of rescheduling vacations in a bid to facilitate matters for families and help all family members enjoy the 'spring vacation' together regardless of the stage of education of their children. Notably, Harbi's decision comes in response to public and parliamentary criticism for the current holiday schedule, which disrupts family plans to enjoy the vacation together.

MEW budget
Chairman of the parliamentary budgets and final statement committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad said the largest number of remarks made by the State Audit Bureau reports involve the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW). "Most remarks involve public funds and the ministry has to form special committee to investigate these violations" he said, adding that MEW had not been properly cooperating with the Audit Bureau.

Abdulsamad explained that the committee discussed MEW's final statement for the fiscal year 2018-2019, which indicated that the ministry's total spending was KD 2.5 billion, while revenues were only KD 382 million. "The committee found that MEW still did not assess its real estate assets despite previous directives demanding so," Abdulsamad said, noting that the Audit Bureau made 129 remarks about MEW.

"Most remarks involved the ministry's tenders and projects contracts and the ministry has to protect its rights by fining contractors falling behind schedule," Abdulsamad added, noting that MEW's uncollected debts are KD 323 million resulting from inaccurate readings of power consumption meters.