KUWAIT: Foreign Minster Dr Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet on Kuwait's welcome of the UN demand from the country to provide treatment to UN staff from Central and West Asia that have critical coronavirus infections in Kuwait's hospitals as the country has a successful experiment in dealing with the COVID-19 and thus mortality rate reduced compared with several countries. The Cabinet praised the UN's choice of Kuwait, saying this mirrors the international confidence in Kuwait's health system and its efficiency.

Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Maryam Aqeel also informed the ministers about the unanimous adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of the third periodic report of Kuwait's human rights' file, within the mechanism of the universal periodic review of the Council. The Cabinet voiced great satisfaction about, and pride for this civilizational achievement as a well-deserved testimony for Kuwait's efforts and its sincere interest in continuing to advance human rights issues.

This came during the Cabinet's weekly meeting held Monday via videoconference, and chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. At the onset of the meeting, the Cabinet members expressed their happiness over the successful surgery of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday, wishing him well-being, and a speedy and full recovery, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh said.

In this regard, the Cabinet lauded the sincere sentiments, prayers and love of the nationals to "our father and leader His Highness the Amir" that reflected the depth of relations and cohesion, throughout the successive generations, between the Kuwaiti people and their leader, Saleh also Interior Minister, added. The ministers expressed their appreciation, and thanks for, to the leaders and presidents as well as senior officials of the sisterly and friendly countries for their follow-up and concern with His Highness the Amir's health condition. They, meanwhile, wished a speedy recovery and well-being to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

COVID-19 developments
Minister of Health Dr Sheikh Basel Humoud Al-Sabah told the ministers about the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on local, regional and international levels, based on the statistics in the World Health Organization's (WHO) report in terms of the infected cases, recoveries, deaths and patients at intensive care units (ICU). The Cabinet accepted the generous donations provided by a number of people and bodies on restoring and constructing several facilities and projects in Kuwait, appreciating highly these initiatives which will be in favor of Kuwait's interests.

The ministers discussed the recommendations by the economic affairs committee on some bills regarding adopting the final statements of the 2020-2029 fiscal year of institutions with independent budgets, bodies with attached budgets and financial management. The Cabinet decided to approve these bills and referred them to His Highness the Amir, in preparation for sending to them the National Assembly.

Labor cities
Moreover, the Cabinet discussed the recommendation of the public services committee on the project of the labor cities in Kuwait, and the ministers were informed about the report on the workshop held by the committee to deal with methods so as to address all obstacles that may face the project, in light of the visual presentations and reports by the Ministry of Public Works, the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, and the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects.

It decided to assign the Ministry of Public Affairs, Kuwait Municipality, the Public Authority for Manpower, the Public Authority for Industry and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation to take measures on safeguarding temporary or permanent housing of labor.

It also tasked the Public Authority for Manpower, in coordination with the competent authorities, with intensifying inspection campaigns to ensure full compliance with the conditions and specifications appropriate of workers' housing. The Cabinet assigned the Public Authority for Civil Information, in coordination with the competent authorities, to ensure the compliance of the actual housing of labor affiliated with government agency contracts with the addresses registered in the civil card and take the necessary legal measures regarding violators.

Immediate release
In implementation of the Decree No 87/2020 on the amnesty regarding the remaining sentence restricting freedoms or reducing it and the fine against 2,044 people, Minister Saleh informed the Cabinet about the immediate release of those included and reducing the penalty for others who were covered by the aforementioned decree.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the public service committee's recommendation on the issue of using trucks and heavy machinery on the north road leading to the Wafra area and its effects on the safety of drivers and residents of Sabah Al-Ahmad residential city. It asked the competent bodies to deal with this issue. - KUNA