Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Kuwait has been bracing for a shutdown of its energy sector.

Union leaders said they were preparing for a strike of Kuwait oil facilities.

The union leaders said the 19,000 Kuwaiti workers would not tolerate a decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council state to slash their salaries, which average $19,400 per month.

“Trade unions of all oil companies have taken a decision to go on strike and authorized me to announce the date of the strike which will be determined within the next two days,” Kuwait oil workers union chief Abdul Aziz Al Sharthan said on Jan. 29. “After making a number of legal procedures, I will set the date of the strike which will be within two weeks.”

Over the last two weeks, the union has sought to reverse a decision by the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp. to reduce salaries and benefits.

The decision to cut wages, more than four times those of the rest of the public sector, has been supported by both the government and parliament.

  Abdul Aziz Al Sharthan, Gulf states slash oil workers’ pay, Kuwait braces for strike, Kuwait Petroleum Corp., Kuwaiti oil unions, shutdowns