Those who are 60 years and above and do not hold graduation certificates continue to live in the world of uncertainty although the High Court has canceled the entire “list of rules and procedures for granting work permits,” and the Fatwa and Legislation Department of the Council of Ministers giving its opinion of the issue.
Fifteen months on and the crisis continues to roll on without a decision in sight at the time when the government seems to live in a world of confusion.
In this regard, informed sources told Al-Rai that the approval given by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) at its last meeting to renew the work permit for this segment for a fee of 500 dinars fee and private health insurance, this approval remains just ink on paper.
The sources indicated while the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, is waiting for the union of insurance companies to submit a document that suits the capabilities of this segment, there are regulatory measures that precede the issuance of the decision, foremost of which is the convening of the meeting of PAM board of directors and the approval of the minutes of its previous meeting.
The sources say in light of the government resignation it does not appear PAM will meet to solve the issue in the near future especially since there were divisions over the 500 dinars fee issue and private health insurance and this means there is a possibility of the issue lingering on.
At least 6 out of 9 members had suggested during the last meeting that the minister present the decision to the political leadership before ratification, which makes it likely that it will be difficult to hold a meeting soon before forming the new government and determining its directions.
It is noteworthy to mention the Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Al-Saqr, had recently said the new “sixty-year decision” was unfair, expressing the hope that the political leadership would have a final say in this decision to bring matters back to their scientific and objective path in the light of Kuwait’s interest.