KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah has announced that the Civil Services Commission (CSC) has completed the discussion of 123 issues pertaining to financial and job-related incentives for several ministries and government institutions.

Sheikh Mohammad, also head of the CSC board, said after holding a seven-hour board meeting, that the CSC has raised proposals on the 123 issues to the Cabinet for ratification.

Matters like the country's job inflation level were taken into consideration," he said, adding that other matters are the country's development plan, and the assessment of the labor force's need in both the public and private sectors.

He affirmed that any incentives should be agreed to according to the country's current financial fiscal term.

Meanwhile, informed sources revealed that a decision has been made during the CSC board meeting to entitle the Cabinet to make final decisions regarding a number of pay-scales and cadres, including those pertaining to the Justice Ministry experts department, the Fatwa and Legislation Department staff and other judicial departments.

In the meantime, the CSC expressed concern that enforcing more financial privileges to workers at the public sector would encourage more citizens to abstain from working at the private sector, and chose to stay in the public sector instead.

An approval was given to allocate an estimate annual 41 million Kuwaiti dinars increase for engineers, while enforcing a 38% increase for Kuwaiti pharmacists, by providing them with salary raises ranging between KD 270 and up to KD 680 depending on their post and experience," the sources added.

In addition, the CSC approved an estimated 15% increase for citizens with a diploma in commercial studies, while providing administrative development employees with annual bonuses ranging between KD 200 and KD 300 depending on their performance and productivity.

A study reviewed during the meeting revealed that the total amount of allowances proposed is estimated at KD 200 million, a figure that was met with several objections from specialists who warn from the adverse effect of such spending on the State's budget, as well as on citizens' appeal towards working at the private sector. -Agencies - Kuwait Times