
MoSA's debt relief initiative eases the burden on thousands of Kuwaitis
KUWAIT CITY, June 14: The Ministry of Social Affairs announced that the third national campaign to settle debts has achieved record results, raising more than KD15 million to cover the debts of more than 9,000 cases. The campaign was launched in partnership with the government and charitable entities like Zakat House, Kuwait Finance House, Issa Abdullah Al-Othman Endowment, the Secretariat General of Awqaf, along with several charitable and cooperative societies. The ministry confirmed in a press statement that the funds collected were transferred in full to the Execution of Judgments General Department at the Ministry of Justice to handle the settlement of the debts of eligible cases.
'These funds were carefully studied according to specific terms and criteria by six technical and legal committees, comprising representatives from the ministries of Interior, Justice, Social Affairs and Endowments, and Zakat House. A total of 9,119 files have been reviewed since the campaign's launch, in a meticulous evaluation process that included a separate study of each case to ensure eligibility and prevent any exploitation, in line with the principle of fairness in aid distribution,' it elaborated. The ministry confirmed that the campaign will only benefit indebted citizens detained in correctional institutions or those with enforcement cases, excluding those who benefited from the first and second campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
'This aim is to expand the beneficiary base and reach the most needy groups,' it added. It also emphasized that the campaign embodies Kuwait's humanitarian approach to support struggling groups and preserve their dignity, and reflects the spirit of national solidarity and cooperation between the government and charitable sectors. It concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to transparency and providing communication channels with citizens by responding to their inquiries through the Sahel application, and enabling applicants to follow up their files and view their details electronically.

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Arab Times
21 hours ago
- Arab Times
MoSA's debt relief initiative eases the burden on thousands of Kuwaitis
KUWAIT CITY, June 14: The Ministry of Social Affairs announced that the third national campaign to settle debts has achieved record results, raising more than KD15 million to cover the debts of more than 9,000 cases. The campaign was launched in partnership with the government and charitable entities like Zakat House, Kuwait Finance House, Issa Abdullah Al-Othman Endowment, the Secretariat General of Awqaf, along with several charitable and cooperative societies. The ministry confirmed in a press statement that the funds collected were transferred in full to the Execution of Judgments General Department at the Ministry of Justice to handle the settlement of the debts of eligible cases. 'These funds were carefully studied according to specific terms and criteria by six technical and legal committees, comprising representatives from the ministries of Interior, Justice, Social Affairs and Endowments, and Zakat House. A total of 9,119 files have been reviewed since the campaign's launch, in a meticulous evaluation process that included a separate study of each case to ensure eligibility and prevent any exploitation, in line with the principle of fairness in aid distribution,' it elaborated. The ministry confirmed that the campaign will only benefit indebted citizens detained in correctional institutions or those with enforcement cases, excluding those who benefited from the first and second campaigns in 2023 and 2024. 'This aim is to expand the beneficiary base and reach the most needy groups,' it added. It also emphasized that the campaign embodies Kuwait's humanitarian approach to support struggling groups and preserve their dignity, and reflects the spirit of national solidarity and cooperation between the government and charitable sectors. It concluded its statement by affirming its commitment to transparency and providing communication channels with citizens by responding to their inquiries through the Sahel application, and enabling applicants to follow up their files and view their details electronically.

Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait plans to crack down on public sector absenteeism by linking attendance to bonuses
Kuwait plans to crack down on public sector absenteeism by linking attendance to bonuses KUWAIT: Kuwait's Cabinet has directed the Civil Service Commission to establish a new accountability mechanism for unexcused absences in ministries and government entities. The move comes after several government departments reported low attendance rates on the first day back from the Eid holiday, with some offices seeing less than 60 percent of employees return to work. The new system, according to a Cabinet statement, is intended to curb a recurring pattern of absenteeism—particularly on days adjacent to public holidays—and to ensure greater discipline and efficiency across the public sector. The Cabinet has given the Civil Service Commission two weeks to develop a framework linking unexcused absences directly to key areas of employee evaluation, including annual performance reviews, eligibility for excellence bonuses, and promotions. The directive follows growing frustration over what some describe as routine manipulation of leave policies, including the use of sick days to extend holiday breaks—often at the expense of citizens waiting for government transactions. Attendance lags post-Eid ublic sector absenteeism has long plagued Kuwait's government offices, drawing criticism from lawmakers and citizens alike. Despite repeated warnings from the Civil Service Commission, the issue tends to spike around public holidays. The impact of post-holiday absenteeism was evident this week. The Ministry of Social Affairs reported just 50 percent employee attendance on the first official workday following Eid. Public Relations Director Fatima Al-Salama said in a statement the ministry was working to restore full operational capacity gradually while ensuring continuity of essential services. 'Administrative leadership is closely monitoring attendance to ensure employees return to their posts in line with established protocols,' she stated. According to Al-Jarida, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy fared better, recording a 75 percent return rate. With more than 37,000 employees across the country, officials said the ministry's operations had resumed without major disruptions. At the Ministry of Public Works, attendance reached 76 percent. — Agencies


Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
Expat Workers Can Appeal Against Unjust Travel Denials by Employers
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: In a move aimed at enhancing the labor environment, tightening oversight of expatriate workforce movements, and safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees, the Kuwaiti government will now require private sector expatriate workers to obtain an official exit permit before leaving the country. The new policy, which mirrors existing regulations for public sector employees, will take effect in early July. According to a statement from the Public Authority for Manpower, the directive was issued through a ministerial circular by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. Once implemented, expatriate workers will be obligated to submit a formal exit permit application detailing their personal information and intended travel date. The application must be completed using an official form approved by the authority and submitted electronically through a designated platform to ensure efficient processing. 'This measure is intended to streamline the departure process for expatriate workers, ensure compliance with legal requirements, protect the rights of all parties, and minimize unauthorized departures,' a spokesperson for the authority explained. A senior official stated that the regulation applies to all private sector employees holding residency under Article 18. Applications for the exit permit can be submitted via the 'Sahel' app for individuals or the 'Ash'al Manpower Portal' website. Employers are responsible for approving the 'Sahel Business' platform or via the Ash'al portal for private companies. In cases of emergency or where workers do not have access to the Sahel app (such as unskilled laborers) employers may apply on their behalf. The process is available 24/7, and once approved by the employer, the permit is issued instantly with no additional formalities. To address concerns of potential misuse by employers, the official noted that any worker who is unjustly denied travel permission may file a complaint with the Public Authority for Manpower. Appropriate measures will then be taken to resolve the dispute. The source stressed that the new regulation is also intended to help curb visa trading and irregularities in the labor market. By creating a transparent, verifiable database of employer-employee relationships, the authority aims to strengthen labor market governance and ensure accountability across all levels.