Workers' Rights
Labour protections, wages, leave entitlements, end-of-service benefits, and workplace safety under Kuwait national law.
Minimum Wage
Kuwait sets a minimum wage of KWD 75 per month for Kuwaiti citizens working in the private sector under Law No. 6 of 2023. There is no statutory minimum wage for expatriate workers — their pay is set...
Working Hours and Overtime
Kuwait law limits working hours and requires overtime pay for extra work:Maximum 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week.During Ramadan, working hours are reduced to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week...
Annual Leave and Public Holidays
All private-sector workers in Kuwait are entitled to paid annual leave and official public holidays:30 working days of paid annual leave after completing 1 year of service.Workers who have completed 9...
End-of-Service Indemnity
When your employment ends in Kuwait, you are entitled to an end-of-service indemnity (gratuity) based on your length of service:First 5 years: 15 days of pay for each year of service.After 5 years: 1...
Workplace Safety and Outdoor Work Ban
Kuwait law requires employers to keep the workplace safe, and bans outdoor work during the hottest months:Outdoor work ban: From 1 June to 31 August, work in open areas is prohibited between 11:00 AM...
Termination and Notice Period
Both employers and employees must follow specific rules when ending an employment relationship:Notice period: At least 3 months written notice is required for indefinite contracts.Fixed-term contracts...
Kuwaitisation and Employment Quotas
Kuwait has a Kuwaitisation policy that requires private-sector employers to hire a minimum percentage of Kuwaiti nationals:The government sets sector-specific quotas for Kuwaiti employment in private...
Maternity and Parental Leave
Female employees in Kuwait are entitled to maternity leave and job protection during pregnancy:70 days of paid maternity leave — 30 days before the expected delivery date and 40 days after.Maternity l...