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Administrative law governs all state institutions, including ministries, agencies and institutions operating under administrative law frameworks. Similarly, in the private sector, the labor law ensures the protection of workers’ rights. The Kuwaiti government has prioritized preserving workers’ rights and regulating workflows. Kuwait’s labor laws are regarded as exemplary in the region for their comprehensive coverage of workers’ rights. However, there’s an oversight in the law regarding the rare but existing issue of abuse and mistreatment of public sector employees by some officials.
These officials wield influence due to their interactions with agents and ministries. Some misuse this influence, treating employees poorly and subjecting them to crises, leading to confusion in workflow. Such mistreatment can lead to employees developing a fear of work, exacerbating health issues, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, which may not be known to their managers.
To address this, there should be an annual evaluation of direct officials by employees, akin to the evaluation system used in universities where students assess their professors. This evaluation would provide valuable feedback to ministers and business owners about the leadership in their respective institutions, resulting in a more conducive work environment.
Implementing such evaluations under the supervision of the Civil Service Commission and the Public Authority of Manpower would prevent institutional harm caused by manager-employee mistreatment. Ignoring these issues poses risks to employee health and work organization. Moreover, it could exacerbate the burden on the judiciary due to potential legal disputes arising from workplace grievances.
While some may argue for drafting new laws to implement these evaluations, existing regulations may suffice, as evaluations are typically permissible where not explicitly prohibited by law. The responsibility for implementing these evaluations falls on the Civil Service Bureau and Public Authority of Manpower. Addressing these issues would alleviate employees’ fear of work and safeguard their mental health, benefiting both employees and employers.
