June 13, 2008

Hello. The English School for Girls in Salwa, Kuwait is cheating a few teachers at the moment. This seems to be the trend now in Kuwait: I am Kuwaiti and they will not pay me one year's indemnity even though it is in the contract because they claim (wrongly) that 'Kuwaitis don't get it because we receive pension benefits (another teacher is in the same predicament as myself). Also, of the ten teachers who are leaving this year, 6 of us are not being paid our July and August rent allowances - even tho' our contracts run up to 31st of August. This means, with mortgage to pay, children to take care of and bills to pay, my salary is down by $600 until I take up my new post in September. I am also aware that 9 teachers in another school (I am GUESSING IPE) have actually gone to the Ministry of Labour to lodge a formal complaint over the same issues. I myself intend to go on Monday.

I think this is a problem which is endemic in Kuwait. School owners expect exiting teachers to just roll over and accept what they are given and be grateful, as if they haven't actually worked to earn their money and rights. I have lived and worked in Kuwait for almost 20 years and am disgusted by the behavior of these schools - and my school in particular, to whom I have given 5 years loyal service. I would like to bring it to the attention of ISR. You brought the matter of the Al Bayan teacher to the forefront of the media last summer and I hope you can shame the Ministry of Private Education into action in the same manner.

Thank you.

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June 18, 2008

Hello again. June 18th update on Kuwait situation. My lawyer has informed me that there is no article which excludes Kuwaitis in the Private Sector from receiving indemnity if it is mentioned in the contract. He says I should proceed to the Sho'oon (Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour) and lodge a complaint. (This should be done within one year of termination of employment). They will approach the school and attempt to get a settlement. Should the school refuse, the matter will go to court, where he will represent me. Even if the amount was 10KD ($30) I would do this because of the principle of the matter. Being a 'good sort' I went to the Personnel manager in the school today and explained the legal situation and gave him one more chance to pay my indemnity - which of course he refused, saying that HIS lawyer had told the school Kuwaitis didn't get indemnity if they paid into the local social security system. So , let's wait and see. Incidentally, the lawyer said I might have difficulty getting the 2 months unpaid rent allowance because no set figure was mentioned in the contract--people out there might like to mention that when getting new contracts.