Kuwait govt to pay privately-sacked workers

The government of oil-rich Kuwait decided on Monday to pay lucrative benefits to citizens who have been dismissed by private sector companies because of the impact of the global economic meltdown.

The council of ministers agreed Kuwaitis who have lost their jobs since August last year will receive 60 percent of their final pay monthly plus 220 dinars ($765) for a maximum of a year in arrears or until they find a new job.

It will be the first time Kuwait has paid out such unemployment benefit.