SUBSCRIPTION THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 RAMADAN 1, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Emsak: 03:03 Fajer: 03:13 Dohr: 11:49 Asr: 15:23 Maghreb: 18:50 Eshaa: 20:22 Kuwait’s MPs pass laws to Min 32º Max 46º regulate domestic helpers High Tide 01:10 & 12:25 Low Tide MPs vote to establish human rights body 06:40 & 19:45 40 PAGES NO: 16555 150 FILS By B Izzak from the editor’s desk KUWAIT: In another marathon session, the National Ramadan Greets Assembly yesterday passed in principle three key legisla- tions regulating the affairs of domestic helpers and estab- lishing a shareholding company for their recruitment in addition to establishing the national human rights commis- sion. The law on domestic helpers is the first legislation in the country to provide full legal protection to hundreds of By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan thousands of maids in Kuwait. So far, a decision issued by the Interior Ministry is the only legal framework for maids. The second and final vote is expected to take place next week for the law which grants [email protected] domestic helpers unprecedented rights including limiting daily working hours to eight, a mandatory weekend and a irst of all, I would like to wish HH the Amir 30-day paid annual leave. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH the For the first time, the law sets a minimum wage of KD 45 FCrown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, monthly for maids who are entitled to demand overtime HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- for working extra hours. The law bans the employment of Sabah, Cabinet members, heads of states around the maids under 20 years and above 50 years of age. It also stip- world, citizens, expatriates and our valued readers ulates one maid for families of up to four, two maids for Ramadan Kareem. Now that Ramadan is upon us for families comprising five to eight members and three maids the next 29/30 days, Muslims around the world will for families consisting of more than eight people. The law fast from dawn till sunset out of heartfelt obedience also stipulates for the first time an end of service indemnity to God. for maids equal to a month’s pay for each year of service. Fasting does not only mean changing your diet The law applies to private drivers, maids, baby sitters and and eating times, it has to be done with the intention cooks. to worship the All Mighty and to abstain from all acts The Assembly also passed another law calling to set up a that nullify the fast. Nowadays, many people don’t shareholding company to recruit domestic helpers by realize that using foul language, losing your temper BEIRUT: A general view taken shows decorations for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in front of the replacing over 300 private offices which have been blamed and patience with people ruin their fast and defy the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut, as the faithful prepare to start fasting. More than 1.5 bil- for the skyrocketing cost of the recruitment and alleged whole meaning of the month. lion Muslims around the world will mark the month, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, abuses of maids. Continued on Page 13 smoking and having sex from dawn until sunset. — AFP Continued on Page 13 LOCAL THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday the credentials of the newly-appointed Ambassadors of Malaysia Ahmad Rozian Abdul Ghani, Philippines Renato Pedro O Villa, and Cambodia Sman Manan. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and other senior officials attended the ceremony. — Amiri Diwan photos Zain Group supports Education Framework Supporting private sector for education related initiatives KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innova- region and are committed to support education as a tor in eight markets in the Middle East and Africa, has means to spur socio-economic development.” announced its adoption of the globally recognized and Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group’s Head of Corporate supported ‘Business Backs Education’ (BBE) Framework, Sustainability and Social Responsibility said, “From a which seeks the support of the private sector for educa- MENA viewpoint, the region’s political turmoil is affect- tion-related initiatives in the same quantum as health- ing a significant number of children that don’t have care issues are championed by corporate entities across access to basic education, which could have severely the globe. negative consequences for the region’s future. Zain has The ‘Business Backs Education’ advocacy campaign identified education and the development of young was launched at the Global Education and Skills Forum people from the communities we serve as amongst our in March 2014 by President Bill Clinton together with highest priorities in giving back. Hence it was easy for us Co-Chairs Jim Hagemann-Snabe, former CEO of SAP; to relate to the goals and ambitions set out by the and Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum. The cam- Business Backs Education framework, and we are happy paign is led by the Varkey GEMS Foundation, UNESCO, to look at our internal activities and try and work even and Dubai Cares under the auspices of the Global harder in achieving the ambitious goals that have been Education and Skills Forum. laid out.” Business Backs Education challenges the private sec- Suleiman continued, “Zain’s current educational Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group’s Head of Corporate tor to: activities across our eight markets are plentiful and span Sustainability and Social Responsibility and Scott • By 2020, commit at least 20 percent of corporate from building and rehabilitating schools, driving back- Gegenheimer, Zain Group CEO. social responsibility (CSR) budgets towards education to-school programs, school feeding, and the supply of initiatives prioritizing countries and groups most in uniforms, through to vocational training and school e- cated and skilled workforce is critical to our commercial need portals.” success, and to the development of a peaceful and sta- • Collectively, try and double total global business Some startling facts regarding the Global Education ble society. “Business Backs Education” ask companies to CSR spending by persuading other business leaders to Challenge: Globally, it is estimated that 132 million chil- come together to support global education initiatives commit greater resources dren have not even made it to the doors of a primary or by increasing their investments, be they philanthropic, • Work with the public sector on core areas of educa- secondary school. A total of 250 million children cannot sustainability, social impact, orin corporate citizenship. tion need such as access to quality education, 21st cen- read, write or count well, and 200 million youths leave In addition, “Business Backs Education” challenges tury skills, global citizenship, and professional develop- school without the skills to find jobs. Additionally there the private sector further to embed ‘The Framework for ment of education professionals. is a huge global education funding gap estimated by Business Engagement’, developed by UNESCO, the UN Commenting on Zain Group’s support of the UNESCO at $26 billion, annually, if we want to achieve Global Compact, UNICEF, and the Office of the UN Business Backs Education initiative, Group CEO, Scott basic education for all children in low-income countries. Special Envoy for Global Education. The framework out- Gegenheimer said, “Now more than ever, it is funda- If the goal is expanded to also include lower secondary lines best practice principles and shows how companies KUWAIT: Ambassador of France to Kuwait Christian Nakhle hosted a ceremony at the mental that organizations whether private or public, education for all children, this gap rises to $38 billion can realize core business objectives - growth, cost- French Embassy to celebrate his country’s national day. Government officials, diplo- work together in order to address the educational gaps annually. Today, it is estimated that current global cor- reduction, profitability - and at the same time resolve mats, media personalities and other dignitaries attended the event. — Photos by that exist across the globe. We at Zain are mindful of the porate giving to healthcare is 16 times greater than to education challenges. For more, please visit www.busi- Joseph Shagra challenges that stem from the huge youth bulge of our education despite the acknowledgement that an edu- nessbackseducation.org Kuwaiti relief plane arrives in Baghdad BAGHDAD: Kuwait’s first relief plane arrived in Baghdad International Airport yesterday carrying 20 tons of medicine and medical supplies for Iraqi hospitals. The Kuwaiti aid reflects depth of bilater- al relations between Kuwait and Iraq, said Mahdi Al-Allaq, director of Iraqi Premier’s office, adding that the aid is to be distributed to five Iraqi governorates. Allaq expressed his appreciation to the Kuwaiti people for aiding and assist- ing their Iraqi brothers and sisters through the relief campaign “Kuwait is by your side”. Meanwhile, Iraqi Deputy Health Minister Khamis Al-Saad valued efforts exerted by the Kuwaiti leader- ship, government, and people in sup- porting the Iraqi people and alleviating their suffering. — KUNA Ramadan Kareem Month of Quran By Teresa Lesher he first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed in personal conduct, guidelines for familial and social rela- Ramadan, 1449 lunar years ago (610 AD). During tions, and a framework for international relations. Tthe course of 23 years, Prophet Muhammad Being an oral revelation first and foremost, devout (PBUH) received Quranic verses as spoken addresses Muslims learn how to recite the holy scripture as it was from the Creator - the Quran is considered the speech revealed.