Cabinet moves to reduce exceptional pensions, discuss national and global issues

The Council of Ministers held its weekly meeting on Thursday, 13th March, at Bayan Palace, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. After the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Sherida Abdullah Al-Muasherji issued the following statement:

At the start of its meeting, the Cabinet was briefed on the visits made by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, along with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, on Monday and Tuesday to the Ministry of Defense (Jiwan), the General Presidency of the National Guard, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah building at the Ministry of Interior, and the General Fire Force Presidency in honor of the holy month of Ramadan.

In his speeches during these visits, His Highness the Amir reaffirmed his pride in the Armed Forces for their role in safeguarding the nation’s independence, stability, and security. He also reiterated his commitment to enhancing their capabilities, ensuring they remain aligned with advancements in military technology and armament.

Additionally, His Highness the Amir expressed his full confidence in the dedication of personnel across the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard, the Ministry of Interior, and the General Fire Force Presidency, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to defending and protecting the homeland.

The Council of Ministers commended the speech delivered on behalf of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, at the extraordinary Arab summit held in Cairo on March 4, 2025.

In his address, His Highness emphasized the critical timing of the summit, convened amid exceptional circumstances and a pivotal historical moment for the Palestinian cause, the foremost Arab issue. He strongly condemned the killing of nearly fifty thousand Palestinians, mostly women and children, by Israeli occupation forces over the past fifteen months, as well as the large-scale destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and the injury of countless others.

His Highness stressed that achieving a ceasefire and securing the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights cannot be accomplished through partial or temporary measures. He also firmly rejected any proposals for the displacement of Palestinians, labeling such plans as an act of ethnic cleansing against an indigenous people with undeniable historical and legal rights to their land.

Calling on the international community, particularly the Security Council, to uphold its responsibility in maintaining global peace and security, His Highness urged immediate action to stop Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank while preventing any attempts at forced displacement or settlement expansion.

His Highness concluded by affirming the summit’s duty to establish a unified Arab stance against efforts to undermine Palestinian sovereignty and the broader Palestinian cause.

The Council of Ministers was also briefed on the issuance of Decree No. (39) of 2025, which approved the resignation of the Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Bushehri, on Monday.

In this context, the Council of Ministers extended its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Mahmoud Abdulaziz Bushehri, the former Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, for his dedicated service during his tenure, wishing him good health and continued success.

The Council of Ministers also decided to declare a three-day official holiday for all ministries, government agencies, public bodies, and institutions on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. If the first day of Eid falls on Sunday, March 30, 2025, work will be suspended until Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with official duties resuming on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers further decided that if Eid al-Fitr is confirmed to begin on Monday, March 31, 2025, the official holiday will include Sunday, March 30, 2025 (as the last day of Ramadan for the year 1446 AH), along with Monday, March 31, Tuesday, April 1, Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3, 2025 (as a rest day since it falls between two holidays). Official work will resume on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

For entities with a special operational nature, their holiday schedule will be determined by the relevant authorities in consideration of the public interest.

The Cabinet reviewed a visual presentation by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajil Al-Askar, accompanied by Undersecretary Ziad Abdullah Al-Najem and other ministry officials, on the launch of the first phase of the smart license project. This initiative aims to unify all types of commercial and regulatory licenses, streamlining procedures, expediting issuance and renewal, and enhancing transparency in the business sector. Utilizing advanced digital technologies and electronic integration between relevant authorities, the project ensures real-time verification and electronic approval of licenses. It also provides investors with a unified platform to manage all licensing requirements, aligning with the goal of Kuwait Vision 2035, for digital transformation and an improved business environment.

The Council of Ministers expressed its sincere gratitude and appreciation for the dedicated efforts of Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajil Al-Askar, Undersecretary Ziad Abdullah Al-Najem, and all those involved in the smart license project. Wishing them success, the Council emphasized its anticipation for the project’s successful implementation in the near future.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam presented a draft decree-law on financing and liquidity to the Council of Ministers, which approved the proposal and submitted it to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for consideration.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the proposal submitted by Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Sulaiman Al-Fassam, regarding the reduction of exceptional pensions granted under Article (80) of the Social Insurance Law. This initiative aligns with efforts to eliminate budgetary waste, rationalize spending, and uphold fairness within the social insurance system.

Given that Article (80) allowed the Cabinet to grant pensions and bonuses on an exceptional basis, leading to disparities among similar job categories, the Council assigned Minister Al-Fassam to coordinate with the Civil Service Bureau and the General Organization for Social Insurance to take the necessary steps for implementation.

The Council of Ministers reviewed various agenda items, approving some and referring others to the relevant ministerial committees for further study and report preparation to ensure the necessary procedures for their implementation are completed.

Moreover, the Council of Ministers approved the minutes of the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, which addressed cases of nationality loss and withdrawal for certain individuals, in accordance with the provisions of Decree Law No. (15) of 1959 and its amendments.

Source: Al Qabas