Kuwait Lawyers Cite Discrimination, Question Housing Law Repeal
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Arab Times
5 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait moves to standardize salary deductions by court orders
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: In a recent brainstorming session aimed at resolving procedural challenges, the Enforcement Department at the Ministry of Justice met with banking officials to discuss the difficulties banks face in implementing judicial orders related to the garnishment of employee salaries and wages. Sources familiar with the matter said that representatives from various banks presented the specific issues they encounter when executing salary withholdings ordered by the courts. The meeting sought to gather feedback from financial institutions in order to develop a unified banking mechanism that would standardize salary garnishment procedures across all banks in Kuwait. Although garnishment orders issued by the Enforcement Department typically state the required percentage to be deducted — within the legally permissible range — sources noted that procedural complications still arise. These inconsistencies often prevent banks from handling similar cases in the same manner, creating operational challenges. One of the key issues discussed was whether the garnishment should occur before or after the deduction of existing bank loan installments. Questions were also raised about how to treat additional salary components such as labor support, rent allowances, social assistance, and Kuwait Credit Bank loan repayments. In some cases, banks have withheld the entire salary amount to comply with the garnishment, only to later release exempted portions after the customer intervenes. The discussions underscored the importance of adhering to Article 216 of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law, which states that garnishments must fall within the legal limits—between 25% and 50% of the employee's permanent salary, depending on the nature of the debt and the debtor's employment status. This is to ensure that the employee retains a portion of their income and to prevent over-withholding. It was also emphasized that court-ordered alimony takes precedence over all other forms of debt, including government-related obligations. In the event of a conflict between alimony and government debt, alimony is to be prioritized. Only after satisfying both obligations, and if a remaining margin exists, may further deductions be made up to the legal ceiling of 50%. Sources added that during the session, bank representatives also highlighted several technical challenges and called for clearer guidelines and improved coordination. Work is ongoing to address these concerns and remove ambiguity, with the goal of creating a streamlined, consistent process for handling court-mandated wage garnishments across all financial institutions. Another proposal raised during the meeting involves shifting the garnishment responsibility from banks to the employer, the salary source. Under this system, court orders would be sent directly to the employer, who would withhold the required percentage before transferring the remaining salary to the employee's bank account. However, sources confirmed that no final decision has been reached on this proposal. Salary garnishments, enforced via court order, are intended to protect creditor rights and ensure the repayment of outstanding debts. As such, participants in the session agreed on the necessity of uniform implementation without delays or procedural discrepancies.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait Lawyers Cite Discrimination, Question Housing Law Repeal
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: Some lawyers have filed a direct constitutional challenge before the Constitutional Court against Decree-Law No. 83/2025, which repealed Article 29-bis of Law No. 47/1993 concerning housing care, titled 'Whoever Sold His Home.' The repealed article, introduced under Law No. 2/2015, allowed citizens who had previously sold their homes to reapply for housing through usufruct or rental arrangements, subject to specific conditions, including full repayment of the housing loan granted by the Kuwait Credit Bank. The decree justified the repeal by citing a 'violation of the principle of justice and equal opportunity,' explaining in its memorandum that the previous article caused unjustified discrimination among citizens and exacerbated the housing application crisis, depriving those who had not previously obtained housing rights.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait's CAS to accept non-Kuwaiti students under new fee structure
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The College of Applied Sciences (CAS), under the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), has announced that it will begin admitting non-Kuwaiti students starting from the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The decision, approved by Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam, Director General of PAAET, comes with specific terms and conditions, including a fee-based structure for non-Kuwaiti applicants. The newly approved regulations specify that non-Kuwaiti students must have completed all educational levels within Kuwait and obtained their high school diploma in the country. Applicants must also meet the minimum high school percentage required for Kuwaiti students in the same admission category. Furthermore, applicants must be residents of Kuwait, possessing either a valid civil ID or an illegal resident card. A non-refundable registration fee of 20 KD will be required from applicants. The application will be deemed invalid if incorrect information is provided. The new policy also excludes the possibility of transferring or changing specializations for non-Kuwaiti students once they are admitted. To reward academic excellence, the decision outlines that students who maintain a GPA of 3.80 or higher after two semesters will receive a 50% discount on tuition fees for the following semester. However, it is important to note that students in this category are not eligible for social rewards or any other financial incentives given to Kuwaiti students under Law No. 1 of 1990 and its amendments. Each student will be granted one opportunity for admission under this new system. The decision also allows individuals holding high school certificates that are more than three years old to apply for admission. To qualify, applicants must have achieved a minimum of 90% in their high school studies. A non-refundable fee of 100 KD will be required for those applying with older certificates. The new admission policy comes with specific tuition fees for various programs within the CAS. The registration fee for new certificates is set at 20 KD, while for old certificates, the fee rises to 100 KD. The study unit prices vary by college and program: College of Basic Education: 80 KD per study unit, totaling 10,400 KD for 130 units. College of Business Studies: 80 KD per study unit, totaling 5,440 KD for 68 units. College of Health Sciences: College of Technological Studies: College of Nursing: The decision also includes a list of institutes offering programs for high school graduates, such as the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, the Higher Institute of Administrative Services, and the Higher Institute of Energy. For those below high school, the decision outlines registration options at specialized institutes such as the Construction Training Institute, the Shuwaikh Industrial Institute, and others in the training sector. The new policy by the College of Applied Sciences will provide an opportunity for non-Kuwaiti students to access higher education in Kuwait, with clear terms and financial obligations in place. The decision reflects PAAET's commitment to expanding educational opportunities while maintaining high academic standards.
