KUWAIT: The central council of the Labor Union held its fourth meeting chaired by Abdelaziz Bu Rashed yesterday to discuss the labor situation in Kuwait. It also discussed the problems it faces due to the government plans to impose a rationalized spending policy through reducing or canceling subsidies to public services and privatization, as well as compromising the economic and social rights of workers and those with limited income without a study of the negative repercussions to the cost of living and prices. "The latest step of this policy was the Cabinet decision to raise gasoline prices, which calls upon labor unions and NGOs to confront such decisions through which the government will burden the working class with the budget deficit, and this is rejected by the labor union, which considers it in favor of one group only," the council said in a statement.

The council also discussed the displeasure of many oil workers due to the cancellation of their strike, and the meetings between the government and representatives of the petroleum workers union that were "characterized by procrastination." This in addition to the decision to refer the chairman of the petroleum workers union to the public prosecution over the strike.

The council discussed the situation of expat workers and the problems they face in the form of not receiving their salaries for months, with total absence by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in taking action against violating companies of the private sector labor law as well as international treaties.

School timings

Education Ministry's Undersecretary Haitham Al-Athari said it was agreed all teachers should report to work at public schools on Sept 18. Kindergarten and first grade students will return to school on Sept 21, all elementary school stage students on Sept 22, while all intermediate and secondary students report on Sept 25. The midterm break will be from Jan 21, 2017 to Feb 4. The final day of school for those in kindergarten will be June 8, 2017, elementary and intermediate on June 21 and secondary on July 3.

Woman remanded

The public prosecution decided to remand a Filipina woman arrested for IS links and sent her to the central prison, as she will be tried at the criminal court. The Filipina was arrested earlier charged with being a member of Daesh and preparing for a terrorist act.

Diesel leak

Firemen tackled a diesel leak on the Fourth Ring Road towards Fahaheel Expressway due to the explosion of a water tank compressor. Hawally and back up fire centers responded and removed the leaked fuel.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi