MPs Barrak, Tabtabaei, Tahous join strike
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 3: About 200 fire-fighters gathered Monday at the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) in Sharq to demand for exemption from the fingerprint attendance system, implementation of the health insurance, encash unused annual leaves like their military counterparts, and increase the salaries and allowances of engineers.
Amidst tight security, the protesters raised placards in which they wrote their demands and sentiments. MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Musallam Al-Barrak and Khalid Al-Tahous participated in the strike.
Upon his arrival, Al-Tabtabaei informed the protesters that the security officers have given them permission to enter the office of KFSD Director General Major General Jassem Al-Mansouri. However, when they started heading towards the office, the security officers denied them entry, but Al-Tabtabaei, Al-Barrak and the chairperson of the Workers Union entered the office to discuss the protesters' demands with Al-Mansouri.
Al-Tabtabaei disclosed this is the first labor strike he attended because he believes the firefighters protect the lives of everybody. He stressed the need to grant the demands of the protesters to ensure the safety and security of the society. He fully supports the demand to exempt the firefighters from the fingerprint attendance system due to the nature of their job.
Meanwhile, Al-Barrak affirmed the meeting with Al-Mansouri was objective and they deliberated on major issues. He explained the protesters have presented plausible demands, considering they risk their lives to rescue others. He said one of the protesters holds a bachelors degree yet he is content in working as a fire truck driver because he saves lives - a clear indication that the firefighters are ready to bear their responsibilities.
© Arab Times 2011
