Integrating disabled people into the job market is a 'noble goal': Kuwait
BERLIN, Germany, April 2: Kuwait's Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, emphasized on Wednesday the importance of integrating people with special needs into the job market. She described this as a challenge that requires practical and effective rules and regulations to achieve the noble goal of inclusion.
Speaking at the third Global Disability Summit (GDS) in Berlin, which runs for two days, Dr. Al-Huwailah affirmed that Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlights the right of people with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others. This convention serves as a key framework for governments in supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce.
Dr. Al-Huwailah commended the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in recognizing the rights of individuals with disabilities in employment. She specifically mentioned Kuwait's "Partners for Their Employment" initiative, which fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors to provide opportunities for people with disabilities. This initiative has successfully facilitated the employment and training of individuals with special needs in specialized fields, showcasing Kuwait's dedication to supporting inclusive employment.
During her speech at a symposium titled "Inclusive Employment in the Arab Region: Challenges and Proposed Policies," Dr. Al-Huwailah underscored the importance of policies that support the integration of persons with disabilities into the labor market while tackling the challenges of discrimination. She also praised the efforts of GCC countries, including the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, for their policies that ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the workplace.
The Minister expressed hope that the summit would result in concrete recommendations to further develop policies and foster international cooperation. This would help ensure more effective participation of persons with disabilities in the global labor market and promote their economic independence and social integration.
The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities noted that the primary aim of the Global Disability Summit in Berlin is to unite global efforts to integrate individuals with disabilities into their communities. The summit brings together governments, disability organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society organizations to discuss progress and address challenges in the field.
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Kuwait targets exam cheating with prison terms, hefty fines
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The Cabinet's approved amendments add two articles to the Penal Code: Article 259 bis, which punishes leaking exam materials with imprisonment of up to five years and fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 dinars, and Article 259 bis (a), which penalizes altering exam answers or grades with up to seven years in prison and fines between 5,000 and 10,000 dinars. This initiative aims to protect the integrity of education and ensure fair assessments for all students. Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Council of Ministers, chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, convened its weekly session on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, reviewing significant local, regional, and international developments while approving major legal and institutional reforms. At the outset, the Cabinet extended Eid Al-Adha greetings to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and the people and residents of Kuwait. It also congratulated the Crown Prince on the first anniversary of assuming office, praising his national achievements and leadership. As part of its legislative agenda, the Cabinet approved two draft decree-laws. The first introduces Articles 259 bis and 259 bis (A) to Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, criminalizing acts related to cheating and manipulation in intermediate and secondary school exams. Violations are punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years and fines ranging from KD 1,000 to KD 10,000. The second draft law amends Judicial Fees Law No. 17 of 1973, aiming to discourage frivolous lawsuits and promote alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and conciliation. 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Kuwait targets exam fraud, frivolous lawsuits with new reforms
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Minister of Information, Culture, and State Minister for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi presented a detailed report on the Crown Prince's visit to Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, His Highness toured the pavilion, which showcases Kuwait's achievements in economy, energy, environment, education, and cultural heritage. He expressed appreciation for the organizers' efforts in presenting Kuwait's identity to the global audience. The Cabinet also discussed the outcomes of the recent official visit by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara. The talks, chaired by His Highness the Amir on the Kuwaiti side and President Al-Shara on the Syrian side, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and addressing the latest developments in Syria. Both parties emphasized the need for intensified international efforts to ensure Syria's sovereignty, security, and stability. 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Every community has its go-to gold, affected by tradition, resale value, aesthetics KUWAIT: As Eid approaches, it's easy to notice how different gold markets draw in people with different nationalities. According to local jewelers, one key factor drives these preferences: karat - the measure of gold's purity mixed with other metals. The availability of certain karats across shops not only impacts price, but also influences the jewelry's color, strength and the styles favored by each community. 'Each country tends to have its own distinct preference for gold karat,' said Ahmad Gad, a jeweler at Al-Mubarakiya Gold Souq, one of the most popular markets among diverse nationalities in Kuwait. He broke down the three most common karats in Kuwait and who typically prefers each: 'Indians usually go for the rich yellow of 22K gold. Arabs lean toward 21K for its shine. As for 18K, which has a softer glow, it's often chosen by people who like European styles — Filipinos, for example.' Ahmad Gad, a jeweler in Kuwait. A vendor shows a gold necklace to a customer at the gold exhibition. The Indian favorite Indian buyers are especially drawn to 22K gold, valuing both its high purity and cultural significance. 'For Indians, what matters most is purity. If it were practical, they'd choose 24K - but it's too soft for jewelry,' said Ayoub, an Indian gold salesman who has worked in Kuwait for seven years. Pure 24-karat gold, considered 100 percent gold, is typically reserved for bars and coins, as its softness makes it unsuitable for wearable, intricately designed jewelry. To increase durability, gold is alloyed with other metals, resulting in lower karats: 22K gold contains 91.7 percent pure gold, and is ideal for the ornate, heavily detailed pieces typical in Indian culture. 'Our classic Indian pieces can only be made with 22K,' said Naresh Kumar, a jeweler at Souq Al Wataniya in Kuwait City, which mainly serves Indian and Bengali customers. 'It's also the standard karat in India, so it's easier to resell there.' Gad added, 'Every community prefers gold that can be resold easily in their home country.' Smart investment Despite its cultural significance, 22K gold is less commonly stocked in Kuwait compared to 21K. You'll find 21K gold widely available in popular markets like Al-Mubarakiya, Hawally, Salmiya and Farwaniya. According to jewelers, 21K is the most sought-after karat among Arabs. With 87.5% purity, it offers a sweet spot between visual beauty and long-term value. '21K is ideal for those who want a beautiful ornament that also holds its value,' said Gad. 'It has a higher resale price compared to lower karats, especially if it's locally made Kuwaiti gold, free of decorative cloves.' Kuwait is known for its high-quality 21K gold, thanks in part to strong trade ties with the UAE, home to some of the Gulf's most skilled goldsmiths. This partnership enables Kuwait to import a wide variety of 21K designs in large quantities. Elegant, but less valuable By contrast, 18K gold is found in smaller quantities across Kuwait, mostly in the Salmiya Gold Souq, which caters largely to Filipino buyers. While 18K contains 75 percent pure gold and is often used for dainty, European-style pieces, jewelers say it carries the highest making charges and offers weaker resale value, making it less appealing to investment-focused shoppers. 'The lower the gold's karat, the harder it is to mold,' explained Kumar. 'Working with low karats like 18K takes more time and precision, which increases labor costs.' That added labor is reflected in the making charge — a markup applied to the price of gold per gram for craftsmanship, which doesn't contribute to the resale value. Still, 18K remains the go-to for many Filipino shoppers and others who prioritize aesthetics over return value. 'I prefer 18K because it's simpler and more elegant,' said Rachel, a Filipino customer. 'The higher-karat designs are too loud - too madame. Unlike 18K pieces which I can easily stack and wear daily without feeling it's too much. For many, gold is more than a fashion statement - it's financial security. 'Gold is the most affordable investment for me right now. Instead of wasting money, I buy gold. It's like my money is still there, just preserved in a different form,' said Nada Dawod, an Egyptian gold enthusiast. 'When I was younger, I loved 18K gold,' she said. 'But once I started buying gold with my own money, I switched to 21K. It has better resale value and comes with a lower making charge. Even if I like a design in 18K, I try to find a similar one in 21K.'
