KUWAIT: The government has been informed that HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has lifted a total freeze on appointments, transfers and promotions in public jobs, Cabinet spokesman Amer Al-Ajmi said on Tuesday. HH the Amir took the decision to bar all appointments in government jobs on Dec 5 when he was still the Crown Prince. He became the ruler of the country on Dec 16 following the demise of former Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The decision was taken to prevent the misuse of appointments, especially in senior positions. Almost 80 percent of the Kuwaiti workforce of around 400,000 is employed in the government. Ajmi said the Cabinet was informed of the Amir’s decision during its weekly meeting held on Monday night.

The Cabinet was also expected to set a date for the upcoming snap polls to be held after HH the Amir dissolved the National Assembly on Feb 15 over remarks made by some MPs that were deemed offensive to the ruler. But the Cabinet made no announcement of the election date, which must be within two months of dissolving the Assembly, according to the constitution.