Kuwait raises minimum wage for state-contract firms

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: Kuwait has become the first Gulf state to set a minimum monthly wage at USD 150.4 for some companies with state contracts after Asian workers, demanding better pay, rioted in the country.

From now on, firms with cleaning and security contracts with state institutions will have to pay a net monthly minimum salary of USD 150.4 for cleaners and USD 263.2 for civilian security staff, the cabinet said in a statement after a weekly meeting.

Last week, hundreds of Bangladeshi workers staged demonstrations to demand better pay and working conditions, saying soaring prices made it impossible for them to live on their salaries which were as little as USD 30 a month after employers deducted health care benefits, transport, meals and housing cost.

Later, the protests turned violent, with demonstrators vandalising cars and ransacking offices until the Government promised to improve conditions. Hundreds of protesters were arrested and deported.

"Housing cost or living allowances, health insurance, transportation or any other commitments will not be deducted from these salaries," the cabinet said.

Cabinet Minister Faisal al-Hajji said companies that violate the new minimum wage rules would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, a draft bill presented Sunday by the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee is strong enough to curb human trafficking and solve numerous issues concerning citizens and foreign labourers, MP Dr Nasser Al-Sane, one of the authors of the bill, told the Arab Times yesterday.