SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
AUM University in Kuwait is deeply committed to advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and it does so by adhering to Kuwaiti labor laws and implementing fair labor practices throughout its institution. The university recognizes that providing decent work conditions and fostering economic growth are not only ethical imperatives but also essential for its overall success. Here's how AUM achieves this commitment:
Fair Employment Practices
AUM adheres to Kuwait's labor laws, ensuring that all employees are treated equitably and with dignity. This includes providing fair wages, benefits, and opportunities for career development.
Employee Training and Development
The university invests in its workforce by offering training programs and professional development opportunities. This not only enhances the skills and capabilities of its employees but also contributes to personal growth and career advancement.
Equal Opportunities
AUM is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all, irrespective of gender, nationality, or background. This commitment fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Labor Law Compliance
AUM diligently complies with Kuwaiti labor laws and regulations, ensuring that labor rights are upheld, and all employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Economic Growth
The university's growth and expansion contribute to economic development in Kuwait by creating employment opportunities and supporting local businesses and suppliers.
Community Engagement
AUM actively engages with the local community and collaborates with industry partners. This strengthens its connection to the broader economy and promotes economic growth in the region.
By adhering to the principles of SDG 8, AUM University not only fosters a work environment that respects and empowers its employees but also plays a vital role in Kuwait's economic development. AUM's commitment to fair labor practices and economic growth aligns with its broader mission of excellence and responsible citizenship in the Kuwaiti society.
In a concerted effort to enhance safety measures and promote a culture of safety in academic laboratory environments, a group of dedicated faculty and staff members at AUM completed the Certificate Program in Academic Laboratory Safety during February. The program was organized by AUM Staff Development Department in partnership with Dar Al Shifaa Hospital, with the objective of equipping participants with the most effective health and safety practices tailored for laboratory settings.
Participants acquired and upgraded their essential knowledge and skills to detect and mitigate risks, identify hazardous materials, and ensure safe evacuation procedures, aligned with AUM Safety and Emergency guidelines and procedures. The completion of this program marks a significant achievement in promoting a culture of safety in laboratory environments, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
On Thursday, 13th of October 2022, a Certificate Award Ceremony was organized by the Staff Development Department at AUM to celebrate the FCD participants on the occasion of completing the certificate/training program.
As of mid-November 2021, a selective number of faculty and staff members at AUM enrolled in the “NCDA Facilitating Career Development (FCD) Certificate/Training Program” of the National Career Development Association (NCDA), the premier provider of professional development in the career field, based in United States.
During the sessions, participants have been equipped with career development core competencies to better assist students and graduates in planning their careers, and also support the processes of the Tawteen Career Center.
AUM is always keen to build capacities of faculty, staff and students and upgrade its community members’ professional and soft skills.
All employeesin Kuwait secure the right to submit anoutrage or a complaint to their employer and to the Labour Relations Department. It is to be noted that those working in the domestic services, such as cab driver and maids, are not covered by any particular code and they have to depend on general principles of law. To obtain a labour complaint application the worker must approach to the reception desk of the Labour Relations Department. It is not necessary for the worker to be accompanied by a legal representative at this point, but may take this benefit during subsequent processes if the case has been considered. In case if a domestic service employee encounters some issues with their employers, they can take help from non-government labour organizations, their country’s embassy, as well as from the police.
Procedure to File a Labour Complaint in Kuwait
Those working in the private sector, all labour complaint must be addressed to the labour Relations department of the Public Authority of Manpower. This department examines and review all labour-related complaints by employees. This department is solely assigned to examine and clear all individual labour disputes between workers and employers in the private sector.
Disputes related to financial entitlements(such as non-payment or underpayment of wages)Sponsorship transfer, abscondingnotification, travel bans and work relatedinjuries all go through the labour relation department. The department also conducts follow-up on collective complaints(those involving multiple workers) at the reconciliation and Arbitration committee for individual and collective cases.
After obtaining labour complaining application fill the form provided. The form will require your full name, nationality, civil ID number, work starting date, date of last day at work, legal grounds for filing the complaints profession, agreed wage in the contract, full name of employer, employer’s address and place of work, purpose of dispute, and phone number, worker must provide the following documents (photocopy and original) tohold up their claim:
1. Work permit
2. Civil ID
3. Valid and latest passport
4. Other supporting documents(as requested)
Once the complaint has been lodged at the Labour Relations Department, the department will register the complaint into the database and assign a competent legal investigator. They will figure out thedate (day and hour) of an initial hearing to consider the complaint. The attendance of both the worker and the employer will be required on the day of the initial hearing.
After that the Labour Relations Unit will contact the investigator, whose duty is to gather statements from the employer and check documentation.
Both the worker and the employer will be required to appear in person before the competent investigator at the Public Authority of Manpower(PAM) and Labour Relations Department in their registered governorate. At this stage the worker may be accompanied by a legal representative.
If any case the employer does not appear, the investigator has the authority toissue a second notification, after which the investigator should proceed with examining the complaint.
At the time of hearing, if both parties agree to settle the matter amicably, the case will be documented in a memorandum and filed with the Labour Relations Department.
If there is no settlement or agreement reached, the investigator shall prepare a legal statement of the fact. If the unsettled dispute involves a financial claim, the case shall be transferred to the judiciary.
The investigator will be responsible to review and close any complaint with in a required period(with in two weeks).He will be responsible for unjustifiable delay.
It’s the duty of the investigator to submit a legal opinion regarding the case to the Labour Relations Department which will issue the final decision either to accept the workers complaint or to reject.
It’s the right of the worker or the employer to appeal the decision within 15 days of its issuance.
Disclaimer: The information exhanged in this article is only for information- sharing purposes only. If anybody have any specific concerns regarding work or your employer, he/she may check with the ministry of Interior’s official website or consult with your respective embassy in the state.
The salary concepts are the base salary and the allowances that are included in the employee's payroll, dictating the amount to be received by the employee in each monthly payment. AUM allows each of its employees to report in the event that there are errors or inconsistencies in the process of their payments. Likewise, all the rights of the workers and the fulfillment of the contracts are respected.
Within AUM, it is expected that any salary complaint that any employee has within the institution will be expressed in a timely manner.
AUM offers a simple form where any complaint, salary request will be received by the human resources department and dealt with as soon as possible.
Among the grievances that both male and female employees are entitled to are the following:
- He was paid less than the market wage.
- He worked in unsafe conditions.
- He was not paid for overtime.
- You were not paid for all hours worked.
- You did not have a 30-minute break.
- Not paid in full.
- You were not paid for rest time.
- Money was deducted from your salary (not for taxes).
The schedules of workers within the UNIVERSITY will always be set respecting the legal maximum working day of forty-eight days per week (36 in the period of Ramadan), with the right to 30 days of annual vacation and 13 official holidays. In order to exercise the right to vacation, 9 months of previous work are required. In addition, a minimum of 1 day of rest per week is established. All following the statutes written in the legislation.
Excluded from the regulation on maximum legal working hours are workers who hold positions of direction, trust or management, and those who exercise discontinuous or intermittent activities, who must work all the hours that are necessary for the due fulfillment of their obligations without causing a surcharge for supplementary work.
According to the payments, the salaries will be established according to the laws given by the state of Kuwait, having variations depending on professional levels when it comes to faculty, however, at no time AUM will give a lower salary to which each employee of the institution is entitled.
The Kuwaiti Constitution stipulates through the Article (29) that all people are equal before the law in terms of rights and duties without discrimination according to gender, origin, language, or religion. State of Kuwait to implementing international conventions for eliminating all forms of racial discrimination.
Kuwait has also signed a number of international agreements including CERD by Law No. 33/1968 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by Amiri Decree No. 24/1994. But discrimination still exists due to certain laws that enacted by Kuwaiti legislators as the very laws discriminate between men and women according to gender like citizenship law No. 15/1959.
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) by organizing various events for students, faculty, and staff.
The University joined the global movement of breaking the bias, which resulted in faculty and staff striking the “break the bias” pose to show solidarity and help advance gender equality worldwide. In addition, faculty and staff watched the empowering movie “Hidden Figures” at the AUM Cinema inside the Library.
On the other hand, the campus community engaged in various events, which saw students engaging in interactive activities related to women’s day by the lake, enjoying the performance of an all-female band, and watching a movie related to female historical figures.
