Article,Cover Story,The People

Fury as Kuwait rumbles benefit cheat ‘ghost’ workers


Of the last 800 Kuwaitis found work in the private sector, Ministry of Labor finds just 181 at their desk. 'Imaginary employment is a big problem,' admits an official.


Jun 24th, 2008 | print  |  email email  | Post a comment  |  Listen to the Article

They are termed ‘ghost’ workers: Kuwaiti citizens appearing to work private sector jobs in order to take government benefits. And following a Ministry of Labor raid, many Kuwaitis are feeling none to happy about being rumbled.

The Ministry claims of the last 800 people it help find work in the private sector, just 181 were at their desks, doing work, when inspectors called. It has started to axe the sizeable monthly benefits.

“They do not attend work and the company even pays their social security. When inspectors go to see them at their job, they never find them,” a Ministry official told the Kuwait Times.

To encourage Kuwaitis into the private sector, and soften the pill for employers, the Manpower Restructuring Program now pays all monthly benefits, including marriage benefits, a per child allotment, as well as the recently passed KD 120 ($450) across the board cost of living increase.
 

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