Basic labour rights of OFW in Kuwait

Security of Tenure

• Probationary period shall not exceed 100 working days.
• Either party may terminate the contract during the probation period without notice. In the event where the termination is made by the employer, he shall pay the worker’s end of service benefit for the period of work in the accordance of the provisions of this Law.
• The service of the worker shall not be terminated without any justification or as a result of his activity in the syndicate or a claim or his legal rights in accordance with the provisions of the law. The service of the worker may not be terminated for reason of gender, race or religion. In the event where the term of the work contract is specified and the contract was unrightfully terminated by either party, the terminating party shall compensate the other party for damage provided that the amount of the compensation shall not exceed the remuneration of the worker for the remaining period of the contract.

Hours of Work

• Maximum of 8 hours a day for a 48-hour work week 
• Working hours during the month of Ramadan shall be equal to 36 hours per week
• No employee shall work for 5 consecutive hours without breaks for rest and meals of at least 1 hour.

Weekly Rest Day

• The worker shall be entitled to a paid weekend which is equal to 24 continuous hours after every 6 working days.  

Wage and Wage Related Benefits

• The Minister shall issue a resolution every five years at the latest, in which he shall fix the minimum remuneration depending on the nature of the various professions and industries, taking into consideration the rate of inflation witnessed by the country and after discussing such resolution with the Advisory Committee for Labor Affairs and the competent organizations.
• Overtime pay: 25% of basic remuneration
• Work on rest day: substitute rest day or 50% basic remuneration of regular day’s pay + basic remuneration
• Work on holiday: double remuneration and an additional day off
• End of service Gratuity

Payments of Wages

• Paid in Kuwaiti dinar, at the place of work (or through bank transfer)
• Paid at least once a month, except daily wage earners (paid once every 2 weeks)
• Payment of remunerations shall not be delayed for more than 7 days after the due date thereof.
• Employee shall not be obliged to buy foodstuffs or commodities from specific outlets or products produced by the employer.

Employment of Women

• No night work (10pm to 7am)
• Maternity leave with full pay: 70 days (provided that she gives birth within this period)

Leave Entitlement

• 30 days a year
• Kuwait national holidays
• Sick leave with full pay: 15 days
• Sick leave with three quarters pay: 10 days
• Sick leave with half pay: 10 days
• Sick leave with quarter pay: 10 days
• Sick leave with no pay: 30 days
• Al Hajj leave: 21 days (once only provided worker spent 2 continuous years working for the same employer)

Ministry of Labour Contacts

Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL)
Tel: 22480000, ext: 4850 (int: +96522480000)
Fax: 22419877 (int: +96522419877)