The Petroleum Workers’ Union, the Kuwait Trade Union Federation, the Kuwait Oil Confederation, the Kuwaiti Oil Tankers, National Oil and EQUATE called on, during a press conference the government and MPs to amend the bill on early retirement, which was accepted by the parliament in its first deliberation a few days ago.
The unions considered that the bill represents as a clear violation to the citizens’ rights, and objected to the unprecedented rapid adoption of the laws, especially those relating to the fate of tens of thousands of Kuwaiti citizens.
The unions also criticized the abandoning of the old draft law on early retirement, which was approved last year and was widely accepted by citizens and workers in various parts of the state, to be replaced by a new law, which includes a clear a derogation for the citizens’ rights, who wish to retire early.
The unions stressed the need to refer to the representatives of workers, listen to the citizens’ opinions and amend all the articles that would violate the rights of the Kuwaiti people before the vote on this bill in the second deliberation.
The unions pointed to the high prices and the unbalance between the salaries and such rise, which requires the provision of a decent life with a sufficient income for retirees, especially after spending most of their life at work, whether in governmental or private work. They also called for the need to reduce the age of early retirement to 50 years old, especially that many professions are considered as very hard jobs, such as the oil and petrochemical sector, who are under big pressure.
The Kuwait Trade Union Federation asked for the return of the old bill, which stipulates that the retirement should keep the full salary, and maintain the 15-year advantage for women, regardless of their social status, as well as the abolition of the age requirement for retirement and link it only to the years of service. Moreover, it asked for adding a retirement bonus to at least 50 thousand dinars in the new bill.
#The unions in# Kuwait object to# the early retirement bill and consider it as a derogation for the #citizens’ rights
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