KUWAIT: Masayel Cooperative Society will discuss a request from treasurer Ali Al-Jurayed to terminate expats whose salaries are more than KD 700 to cut expenses of the co-op and reduce the indemnity cost of employees. He said these employees can be rehired for lower salaries, and those who refuse to accept this will have their employment terminated, adding it is better to appoint Kuwaitis instead if they will accept the job.

Rise in domestic helpers

Official data reveals a notable increase in the number of domestic helpers in Kuwait, with a surge of 34,850 individuals of both genders during the first six months of 2023. The total count reached 788,150 by the end of June 2023, compared to 753,290 at the close of Dec 2022.

The average cost of bringing in domestic helpers, excluding those from the Philippines, is approximately KD 700. This results in a total cost of bringing in domestic help amounting to KD 71.96 million, encompassing KD 62.78 million for female helpers (including the airline ticket cost of KD 180 for each worker) and KD 9.18 million for male helpers.

Female domestic helpers brought to Kuwait from Oct 2022 to Oct 2023 incurred a cost of around KD 112 million, constituting 80 percent of the total expense of importing labor into the country. The expenditure on airline tickets to bring in domestic help from all nationalities exceeds KD 30 million for the entire year. Statistics indicate that female domestic helpers from India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka collectively constitute 50 percent of the total domestic help in Kuwait, with their combined number reaching 382,720. Among them, Indian domestic helpers lead in numbers, totaling 347,290.

Last day for transfer

The education ministry has decided that Sunday will be the last day for school students to transfer for the first semester for the school year 2023-2024. The ministry will discontinue the transfer after that date.

Firemen douse blaze

Farwaniya and Subhan firemen, in addition to backup forces, put out a fire in a house in Khaitan. No injuries were reported.