Kuwait: Development Plan Tax Rejected

Alqabas, 6 June 2021: A Kuwaiti MP and member of the Financial Committee has announced the Committee has rejected a proposed development plan tax.

They added the Committee rejected the points related to the unified tax procedures law, amending fees for using public facilities and services and applying the tax law on selective commodities.

They went on to say the Committee will not accept any law which could add more fees on nationals.

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Kuwait: Compensation for Frontline Workers Law Approved

Kuwait Times, 27 May 2021: Kuwait’s National Assembly has approved a draft compensation for frontline workers law.

If approved, it will allocate 600 million Dinars to grant financial rewards for over 200,000 frontline workers who were involved in tackling Coronavirus. It will apply to Kuwaiti and expatriate employees who took part in the efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic in the period between 24 February and 31 May 2020.

They also approved principles on amendments to expand the scope and penalties of a Zionist entity boycott law. The amendments state a jail term of up to three years for dealing with Israel will be imposed.

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Kuwait: Travel Ban for Non-Vaccinated Criticised for Being Unconstitutional

Arab Times, 4 May 2021: Several MPs have objected to the decision by the Cabinet to prevent citizens, who have not been vaccinated against COVID 19, from travelling overseas.

The MPs, including Osama Al-Shaheen, have said the decision is unconstitutional and the Prime Minister and Ministers involved in the decision should be held politically and legally accountable for it.

The Cabinet’s decision was based on the recommendation of health authorities. During the Kuwaiti government’s weekly meeting the travel ban was announced on Kuwaitis, their first-degree relatives and domestic helpers as of May 22 if they did not receive the anti-coronavirus vaccine set by the Ministry of Health.

However, the MPs state it violates international law which states individuals should not be forced to be vaccinated. The MPs also claim it is a violation of the Kuwaiti Constitution which safeguards the citizens’ freedom to travel and move.

Non-Kuwaitis are still banned from entering the country.

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Kuwait: No Sponsor Approval Needed for Transferring Employees on Government Contracts

The Public Manpower Authority has announced they are preparing to issue stricter procedures to control the labour market and tackle the issue of marginal labourers to stop the issuing of fake residency permits.

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Kuwait: Auditing Bureau Given Financial and Administrative Independence

Kuwait’s Parliament has discussed amendments to the Auditing Bureau Law which if approved, would give the Chairman of the Bureau law enforcement powers. The Council approved the article which states the Bureau is a monitoring independent body which enjoys legal personality and administrative and financial independence. The Bureau also has the power to carry out all of the legal dealings necessary to achieve its objectives including concluding contracts, owning transferable and non-transferable monies and has the right to litigate.

Kuwait: Fees for Electronic Payments Should be Approved

Kuwait’s Central Bank has asked all service providers of electronic payment systems and their agents to get approval on the fees and commissions they charge for the services they offer to their customers. These businesses should charge fees for the services which represent a genuine benefit to customers. The Central Bank has issued these guidelines to regulate the electronic payment systems sector and set a suitable workflow to specify the fees and commission for this sector.

Kuwait: The Trade and Industry Minister has issued a ministerial decision that permits transferring workers between SMEs

The Trade and Industry Minister has issued a ministerial decision that permits transferring workers between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) one year after they have been issued the work permit instead of after three years The decision requires the approval of the employer and the fulfilment of the conditions and controls which are provided for by Kuwait Ministerial Decision No. 9/2016 on the controls of the work of SMEs owners.

Kuwait: SMEs Support Law Approved

Kuwait’s National Assembly has approved a draft SMEs support Law. It will help SMEs adversely affected by Coronavirus. It will do this by securing guarantees for local banks to extend loans to businesses which have been adversely affected by Coronavirus. They also agreed to allow citizens who have been affected to delay repayments to both public and private institutions for six months.

Kuwait: Partial Curfew Appeal Rejected

Kuwait’s lower court has rejected appeals against the partial curfew. The curfew was imposed as part of anti-Coronavirus measures introduced by the authorities. The court said the Health Minister is authorised by law to recommend measures to tackle the spread of serious diseases. However they called on the authorities to continuously review the restrictions and measures to establish a balance between serving public interests, securing the safety of society and safeguarding the health system while preserving the rights of individuals and their economic and social rights. They called on authorities to revise the duration of the curfew and travel restrictions.