A number of experts and academicians have warned against approving new pay scales for public sector employees without conducting studies on the national economy and value of the Kuwaiti dinar, because it might lead to inflation in the first quarter of next year, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

They also hold the government and the legislature accountable for the series of protest actions the country witnessed recently due to two authorities’ inability to deal effectively with the demands of the people. They pointed out there is only one way for the government to address the problem; it should ensure justice for all. They stressed the need to develop the production capacity of employees to ease the economic burdens of the country.

Political Science Professor Abdullah Al-Shaiji observed that holding protest actions seems to be the ‘trend’ in the country this year and he compared the act to an infection which spreads from one sector to the other. He said over 90 percent of the total workforce in Kuwait and other GCC states are in the government sector; thus, a large percentage of the national budget is spent on salaries and allowances. He argued this situation is tolerable now that the oil income is high and it can cover the proposed increments. He wondered what will happen once the oil price goes down.

Underscoring the importance of controlling prices in the local market, Al-Shaiji lamented several citizens have started losing their buying power. He urged the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to activate its role in regulating the prices and impose tougher penalties on traders, who raise the prices of their products without any valid reason.

Al-Shaiji also criticized the lawmakers who supported the salary increment demands to serve their electoral interests. He said only a few lawmakers work for the common good and they have taken a strong stand on the pay raise demands. He attributed the rising financial and political demands to the Arab Spring, while urging the economists to carefully study the current situation and to find ways to effectively deal with such demands without depleting the national budget.

Meanwhile, Hajjaj Bukhadour, an economic expert, said the way the government has been handling the pay raise demands reflects its inability to implement the development plan. He added the opposition has also failed in presenting a clear strategy to guarantee the successful implementation of the plan. He reiterated the need to conduct a comprehensive study on the economic situation and production capacity of the employees.

Moreover, Attorney Mubarak Al-Shimmari affirmed there is no law prohibiting employees from organizing protest actions to demand for their rights but they should not jeopardize the nation’s interests and economy.
Also, Psychology Professor at Kuwait University (KU) Dr Kheder Al-Baroun believes the lack of trust between the government and the public sector employees is the main reason behind the protest actions. He blamed the government for ignoring the demands of the workers, particularly the growing clamor for equality among employees in public institutions. - arab Times