Stranded expat teachers suffering abuse

KUWAIT CITY, June 9: Chairman of the Teaching Staff Association at Kuwait University Dr Ibrahim AlHamoud disclosed that the expatriate teachers stranded abroad are suffering from ‘severe job-related abuse’ considering they were in their countries when the corona crisis started and have been considered absent as they failed to return to the country due to unforeseen circumstances brought about by the crisis, reports Al-Jarida daily.

In a recent press statement, Al-Hamoud pointed out there have been deductions from the salaries and allowances of these teachers although they were asked to work online -- teaching, conducting exams, correcting and holding discussion sessions regarding masters degree theses, meeting committees, and preparing promotion, technical and academic reports. “This is considered arbitrary use of authority, and a grave violation of rules governing public office,” he asserted.

He went on to say that “during this period and with the fast approaching summer vacation, letters are being sent to the expatriate teachers stating they will be provided with tickets to travel to their home countries without guaranteeing their return or even promising to help them to return. This is in addition to threatening them that if they are late in joining the university at the beginning of the first semester; they will be considered absent from work with the possibility of dismissal if they are absent for 15 consecutive days, considering this their resignation in accordance with the law.”

He pointed out that “one of the most important perceptions of the academic classification of the university is the presence of foreign faculty members. Foreign professors at the university are regarded as distinguished at the Arab and global levels. They have excellent research contributions that are among the added values of the university.”