Minister Dr Ali Al-Omair speaks to reporters on the sidelines of the conference

KUWAIT: The payroll strategic alternative project has not been set to cut wages but to improve low salaries, former oil minister Dr Ali Al-Omair said. The project is for the good of all, said Omair, who was yesterday assigned with the Ministry of Public Works' portfolio to carry along with the Ministry of State for National Assembly Affairs. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Arab Federation of Petroleum, Mines and Chemical Workers conference that kicked off here on Sunday and lasts for five days. He added that the project is now at the National Assembly's Human Resources Committee.

Omair stressed state's support to the syndicate movement in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the minister expects positive outcome of the coming meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Vienna 4 December, to reflect stability on the markets, which is for the good of exporters and importers. According to Omair, all proposals on cutting OPEC crude prices are being studied, and will be discussed in Vienna. He reiterated full commitment to any decision to be made by OPEC. - KUNA