The Council of Ministers, according to sources in the government, will take the final decision on the ‘Sixty’ file within days.
The same sources said there is more than one proposal for this, explaining that the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman is pushing to reduce the work permit renewal fees from 2000 to 500 dinars with private health insurance.
Meanwhile, the circle of people who reject the ‘Sixty’ decision, related to the prohibition of issuing work permits to those who hold a high school diploma and below, or its equivalent, except by paying a fee of 2,000 dinars, is dramatically expanding.
After the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, suggested amending the decision, 11 unions and car companies agree with his opinion including the head of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Al-Saqr, who has requested HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled to amend the decision.
In this regard, informed sources told Al-Rai the unions which include car dealerships, Kuwaiti industries and banking, as well as the Al-Mulla Group and other car companies have raised their voices in this regard separately with a request to reconsider the decision, especially with regards technicians so that they can benefit from their expertise.
The sources pointed out that the skilled workers that the companies depend on do not need university degrees, but experience, competence, and courses inside and outside Kuwait, and that these workers have developed their skills to keep pace with the development of the industry, which cost the owners of these businesses exorbitant sums of money.
Those who objected to the ‘sixty resolution’ stated that there are a large number of employees who are 60 and above and have served their companies for periods exceeding 20 years, and they form the backbone and mainstay of these companies, although they do not hold of higher qualifications, but instead they have broad and extensive practical experience in the field of the Kuwaiti labor market, and they have a high determination to continue to work and give for years to come, as well as their dedication and sincerity in work.
Perhaps one of the parties most opposed to the decision of the sixties is the KCCI to the extent that its president, Muhammad Al-Saqr, has called on the prime minister to “intervene personally to amend the decision as soon as possible.”