Latest news with #MinistryofSocialAffairs
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait revives co-op Kuwaitization plan with new online hiring system
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Ministry of Social Affairs announced Thursday that it will open online applications for supervisory positions in cooperative societies starting July 27, as part of the country's broader Kuwaitization strategy aimed at placing more citizens in leadership roles across key sectors. The move comes nearly a year after the ministry temporarily suspended earlier initiatives to Kuwaitize the sector. For the first time, candidates will be required to take an electronic exam on September 9, organized in cooperation with the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), according to the ministry's Acting Undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi. 'In a first since appointments in co-ops began, the ministry will require applicants to take an electronic test,' Al-Ajmi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), adding that passing with a score above 80 percent is mandatory to qualify for the in-person interview stage. The exam will count for more than 80 percent of the final evaluation, while the interview will account for 15 percent. The decision is part of a wider national effort to prioritize citizens for employment and address what officials have described as the country's 'demographic imbalance.' In 2023, the ministry launched its first round of Kuwaitization efforts in co-ops, posting supervisory jobs in five co-ops — Nuzha, Qortuba, Faiha, Jabriya, and Qadisiya — for positions such as directors, deputy directors, and department heads. A special committee was assigned to oversee the process. However, sources noted that turnout was lower than expected, citing job security concerns. Since then, the ministry has been working to expand the scope of the Kuwaitization initiative. In July 2024, it introduced a new vision that included general roles such as legal accountants, procurement clerks, and store managers. In January 2025, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah announced the formation of a new committee tasked with overcoming obstacles in hiring Kuwaitis. Al-Ajmi emphasized that the new electronic test is intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the hiring process. 'The goal is to enhance transparency, equal opportunity, and job justice in selecting candidates,' he said, noting that a free, optional training course will be made available for applicants to prepare. Salaries for the available supervisory positions range from KD 1,000 to KD 2,000 depending on the role and its responsibilities, Al-Ajmi added. Assistant Director-General of the Public Authority of Manpower Musaed Al-Mutairi confirmed that the authority has activated a digital system to register and advertise vacancies submitted by co-ops. The job opportunities will be published through the 'Fakhrona' platform dedicated to hiring Kuwaiti nationals. Applications can be submitted via the authority's online portal or through the Sahel app, Al-Mutairi told KUNA. He added that cooperative societies are a promising space for young Kuwaitis to gain leadership experience, thanks to their community-focused and administratively flexible nature. — Agencies
Arab Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
‘Every dinar goes to the right man'
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: Official spokesperson of the Ministry of Social Affairs Yousef Saif Al-Mutairi confirmed that charitable work in Kuwait is subject to the highest standards of transparency and governance within an integrated framework that links donors, projects and beneficiaries, ensuring that every Kuwait dinar reaches its intended recipient. In an interview with Al-Akhbar Channel, Al-Mutairi indicated that the ministry relies on precise monitoring indicators to evaluate the performance of charitable organizations. He explained these indicators begin with the financial indicator, which includes audited budgets and financial reports detailing revenues and expenditures for each project, while controlling administrative expenses and transparently disseminating data to donors. From an administrative perspective Al- Mutairi stressed the need for a clear organizational structure within the organizations, appointment of a general manager and an independent internal auditor, and documenting internal regulations and holding official meetings to ensure compliance and integrity. Regarding monitoring activities, he emphasized the importance of measuring project completion rates and ensuring they are implemented according to plan. He underscored the need for careful monitoring of external projects through reports that include photos and plans, as well as field visits to confirm implementation. He also emphasized the need to evaluate implementing agencies abroad in terms of efficiency and accreditation, focusing on a project's sustainability rather than temporary implementation. He asserted that charitable work in and outside Kuwait is left to the discretion of associations based on community needs and donors' desires, indicating the ministry is committed to achieving a balance that ensures the benefit of those in need in Kuwait as well. He disclosed that the ministry has moved from prior oversight only to a combination of prior and subsequent oversight to overcome challenges and ensure complete transparency. He warned that any donation outside official platforms is a violation, even if the intention is good, and that no individual is allowed to collect donations under his name. He pointed out that the 'Central Aid' platform, launched by the ministry to control and regulate donations, is a pivotal tool that connects donors with beneficiaries through associations, prevents duplication, and enables accurate assessment of cases through registration via the Kuwait Mobile app. He affirmed that the ministry uses monthly reports to evaluate the performance of associations according to these indicators. 'Compliant associations are granted broader powers to collect donations, while non-compliant associations are given development notes, with the possibility of taking strict measures, such as suspension, in the event of serious violations affecting donor funds,' he clarified.
Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Hope For The Helpless: Kuwait Cares For Children Without Parents
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah confirmed that the ministry prioritizes protecting the rights of children and raising family awareness through the implementation of a set of integrated programs based on the principles of comprehensive care and in line with international agreements on the rights of the child. In a statement to the newspaper, Al- Huwailah touched on the most important programs in the Social Care Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs; such as the Family Foster Care Program that aims to care for children of unknown parentage by integrating them with alternative families according to social and psychological regulations that ensure a safe and supportive family environment. She also cited the Alternative Mother Program being implemented in childcare centers. She revealed the program includes the provision of maternal love and care through specialized supervisors who act as mothers to provide daily psychological and social support to children residing in the centers. She said the Juvenile Care and Rehabilitation Program, implemented by the Juvenile Care Department, aims to protect children from delinquency and rehabilitate them through educational, skills, religious and psychological initiatives that enable them to return to society as good individuals. She affirmed that the department plays a crucial role in protecting children from delinquency; not only through intervention after the problem occurs, but also through proactive preventative programs targeting at-risk groups in society. She added that these programs include awareness campaigns for families and schools, and workshops to promote positive values and behaviors through the Psychological and Social Counseling Program for Children and Families offered by the Psychological and Social Counseling Center. She revealed the program consists of counseling services, early intervention, and psychological support for children at risk or experiencing psychological difficulties, in addition to mental health programs. She confirmed the implementation of family awareness and education programs, including a series of workshops and lectures conducted by the Awareness and Counseling Department, in order to spread the culture of positive parenting and preventing domestic violence.
Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait issues new regulations to strengthen oversight of charitable societies
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Sunday the issuance of a comprehensive set of new regulations and guidelines to govern the operations of charitable societies in Kuwait. The move is part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, reinforce governance, and improve institutional performance within the charitable sector. In a press statement, the Ministry confirmed that licensing of charitable societies to collect donations will resume, provided that all organizations comply fully with the newly approved rules. These include strict limitations on how donations are solicited and managed, with a clear emphasis on accountability and alignment with each charity's bylaws. The Ministry clarified that donation campaigns must be exclusively linked to licensed charitable projects and must not involve intermediaries such as marketing agencies, advertising companies, or informal volunteer teams. Furthermore, donation links may only be published on the official websites of the registered charitable societies. In the case of special fundraising campaigns for individual causes, the Ministry stated that prior approval must be obtained. Additionally, any administrative deductions from donations must be clearly disclosed in advertisements for licensed projects, both domestic and international. The new regulations strictly prohibit contracting with advertising firms, social media influencers, celebrities, or preachers without prior ministry approval. Draft contracts must be submitted to the Ministry for review and must clearly specify the contract period, type of service, the relevant project, and the total financial value — following the guidelines set out in Circular No. 274. Daily donation collections must be recorded in the charitable societies' automated management system by the following business day. This includes detailed information on the amount collected, sources, administrative fees deducted, and net donation value. All collected donations must be promptly deposited in bank accounts in accordance with existing regulations. Charities are also required to submit monthly reports detailing bank deductions for licensed projects and provide daily notifications of received donor checks and financial transfers. These records must include donor names, donation amounts, and the intended project. The Ministry announced that all charitable societies will be classified within one month based on compliance levels — categorized as compliant, partially compliant, or non-compliant. Organizations found to be non-compliant will be barred from collecting donations, and field inspection teams will monitor adherence to the new governance requirements. Regarding international relief campaigns, the Ministry emphasized the need for pre-approval of campaign duration, administrative deductions, and identification of foreign implementation partners. Aid must be channeled through licensed projects in recipient countries where permits exist, eliminating the need for separate relief campaigns. Marketing campaigns, whether local or international, must follow the same guidelines as relief campaigns. The Ministry will provide all charitable societies with regulations for external financial transfers tied to licensed overseas projects. Aid distribution of any kind must now be conducted exclusively through the Central Aid Program. The Ministry urged societies to expedite aid procedures via the program and ensure timely withdrawal of approved files. To bolster financial oversight, charities are required to contract auditors listed with the Capital Markets Authority. They must also appoint internal auditors and compliance officers and submit annual reports and audited financial statements in line with Circular No. 194. The Ministry underscored the importance of full compliance with these instructions, warning that legal action will be taken against violators. Penalties may include the suspension of fundraising activities, project cancellations, or even dissolution of the association under Ministerial Resolution No. 128/A of 2016 and Law No. 24 of 1962 governing public benefit organizations.
Libya Observer
23-06-2025
- Business
- Libya Observer
Libya launches new social registry to target support for vulnerable citizens
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has approved a new 'Unified Social Registry' to better target government support to those most in need. The initiative, presented by Social Affairs Minister Wafaa Al‑Kilani, aims to consolidate and cross‑reference social and economic data, allowing authorities to identify eligible beneficiaries with greater precision and transparency. The registry uses a classification system based on income, health status and family size, and will be updated periodically to maintain accurate information. According to Al‑Kilani, the scheme is designed to protect the most vulnerable and reduce social and economic risks, making it a cornerstone of Libya's wider efforts to foster social cohesion and support economic stability. The project is expected to improve living standards for a broad segment of the population by streamlining access to essential services and financial aid. News Tagged: Ministry of Social Affairs
