Private-sector employees in Kuwait, including expats, are covered by Labour Law No. 6 of 2010. Its key rules: a maximum of 48 working hours a week (36 in Ramadan), 30 days’ paid annual leave, 13 public holidays, 15 days’ fully paid sick leave followed by reduced pay, 70 days’ maternity leave, end-of-service indemnity of 15 days’ pay per year for the first five years and a month per year after, probation of up to 100 days and three months’ notice for monthly-paid staff. Disputes go first to the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), then to the labour court, free of charge.
On this page
- Who the Labour Law covers
- Working hours, overtime and rest
- Leave entitlements
- End-of-service indemnity
- Contracts, probation and termination
- Salaries, the minimum wage and deductions
- Salary slips and checking your pay
- Driver salaries and other common job offers
- Your rights as an expat worker
- Common mistakes expats make
- Complaints and disputes
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Who the Labour Law covers
Law 6/2010 applies to employees of private companies in Kuwait, whatever their nationality. It does not cover government employees (who fall under civil service rules) or domestic workers such as housemaids and family drivers, who are covered by Law 68/2015 and handled by the Domestic Labour Department, now part of PAM. If you are on an Article 18 work permit with a private employer, this guide applies to you.
Working hours, overtime and rest
- Maximum 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week; in Ramadan, 6 hours a day (36 a week) for fasting employees (Article 64). A rest break of at least one hour is due after 5 continuous hours.
- Overtime needs your written consent and is capped at 2 hours a day, 180 hours a year and 3 days a week.
- One paid weekly rest day (Friday in most companies). Night shifts and hazardous work have extra limits.
- Summer midday outdoor work is banned from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM between 1 June and 31 August.
| When you work overtime | Minimum pay |
|---|---|
| Normal working day | 125% of basic hourly pay |
| Weekly rest day | 150% plus a replacement day off |
| Public holiday | 200% plus a replacement day off |
Leave entitlements
| Leave | Entitlement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 30 days paid after 9 months of service | Can be carried over by agreement; paid in cash on termination |
| Public holidays | 13 days (see the holiday list) | Double pay plus a day off if you work |
| Sick leave | 15 days full pay, 10 days 75%, 10 days 50%, 10 days 25%, then 30 days unpaid per year | Medical certificate from a government or approved clinic |
| Maternity leave | 70 days paid; up to 4 months unpaid extension | Dismissal during maternity leave is not allowed |
| Hajj leave | 21 days paid, once, after 2 years’ service | For Muslim employees who have not performed Hajj |
| Bereavement | 3 days paid; 4 months and 10 days for a Muslim widow | |
| Study leave | As agreed with the employer | Paid if the employer approves |
End-of-service indemnity
Indemnity is calculated on your last full salary (basic plus regular allowances): 15 days’ pay for each of the first five years and 30 days’ pay for each year after that, capped at 18 months’ pay, for monthly-paid employees. If you resign, you receive half with 3–5 years’ service, two-thirds with 5–10 years and the full amount after 10 years. Dismissal without cause and contract expiry pay the full amount. Our indemnity rules and calculator page shows worked examples.
Ask for a written breakdown of indemnity and unused leave before you sign anything at the end of your contract, and check it against your PAM-registered salary.
Contracts, probation and termination
- Contracts must be in Arabic (a translation may be attached) and registered with PAM. The PAM-registered salary is the one that counts in any dispute.
- Probation is a maximum of 100 days. Either side can end the contract without notice during probation, but pay is due for the days worked.
- Notice is 3 months for monthly-paid employees and 1 month for others; pay in lieu of notice is allowed.
- Dismissal without notice is lawful only for the serious misconduct listed in Article 41.
- If the employer breaches the contract (unpaid wages, abuse) and you leave, or you are let go for restructuring, you keep full indemnity rights.
- Moving to a new employer (transfer or “tanazul”) generally needs your current employer’s consent until you have completed the contract or three years of service.
Salaries, the minimum wage and deductions
- Wages must be paid monthly into a Kuwaiti bank through the Wage Protection System (WPS), within 7 days of the due date. Delays can be reported to PAM.
- The private-sector minimum wage is KD 75 a month. Most skilled jobs and all visa transfers need much higher PAM-approved salaries in practice, and sponsoring a family requires KD 800.
- Deductions are limited to 10% of wages for loans and 25% in total; disciplinary fines must follow a PAM-approved penalty list.
- The employer pays residency fees, the annual expat health-insurance fee (KD 100) and the return ticket at the end of service.
Salary slips and checking your pay
Your payslip and the WPS bank credit are your best evidence in any dispute, so keep every one. Many large Kuwaiti employers issue electronic salary slips through an internal HR self-service portal – staff of big groups such as Al Mulla often search online for their “HR salary slip” login. These portals belong to your employer, so get the correct link and password from your HR department and never enter your Civil ID or bank details on unofficial look-alike sites. Some companies use payroll systems such as Mystro HR.
- Check that the basic salary on the slip matches your PAM registration and contract.
- Make sure allowances, overtime and deductions are listed separately.
- Compare the net pay with the amount credited to your bank account each month.
- Raise any difference with HR in writing first, then with PAM if it is not fixed.
Driver salaries and other common job offers
Driver jobs are among the most common contracts for South Asian workers in Kuwait. A light driver typically earns about KD 140–250 a month plus accommodation or allowance, and a heavy driver about KD 220–350. Offers of a “light driver job with a KD 400 salary” do exist for chauffeurs and specialised roles, but they are above the usual range, so ask for the PAM work permit and written contract showing that salary before you resign at home. Whatever the job, the salary that counts legally is the one registered with PAM. See our driver jobs guide and jobs in Kuwait for expats.
No genuine employer asks you to pay for a visa, medical test or ticket. Selling visas is a crime in Kuwait, and workers who pay often end up with no real job.
Your rights as an expat worker
- Your employer may not keep your passport. Holding an employee’s passport is prohibited; report it to PAM.
- You cannot be forced to work beyond the legal hours without overtime pay.
- You are entitled to your contract in writing and a copy of your PAM registration.
- You keep your right to indemnity and leave pay even if you leave on a transfer.
- Absconding (taghayyub) complaints can be challenged at PAM – respond quickly if one is filed against you.
Common mistakes expats make
- Signing a contract that shows a lower salary than the one promised – the PAM figure is what counts.
- Resigning before three years and expecting full indemnity.
- Leaving Kuwait without collecting indemnity and leave pay, which is much harder to claim from abroad.
- Not keeping payslips and bank statements as proof of salary.
- Ignoring an absconding report instead of responding at PAM straight away.
Complaints and disputes
- Collect your Civil ID, contract, payslips and bank statements.
- File a complaint at the PAM labour relations department of your governorate, or through the Sahel app under the Public Authority for Manpower.
- PAM calls both parties, usually within days, and tries to reach a settlement.
- If there is no settlement within about two weeks, the case is referred to the labour court; employees are exempt from court fees.
- Never sign a final-settlement receipt (mukhalasa) until the money is in your account.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a working week in Kuwait?
48 hours (8 a day over 6 days) under Article 64, and 36 hours in Ramadan for fasting employees. Many offices work 40–45 hours over 5 days.
How much annual leave do I get in Kuwait?
30 days of paid leave a year after nine months of service.
What is the minimum salary in Kuwait for private-sector workers?
KD 75 a month by law, though PAM requires much higher salaries for most professions, and KD 800 to sponsor a family.
How is end-of-service indemnity calculated?
15 days’ pay per year for the first five years and 30 days’ pay for each year after, on the last salary, capped at 18 months’ pay. Resignation reduces it if you have under 10 years’ service.
Can my employer hold my passport?
No. Holding an employee’s passport is prohibited; report it to PAM on 103 or through Sahel.
What is the notice period in Kuwait?
Three months for monthly-paid employees and one month for others, unless the contract is ended for serious misconduct under Article 41.
Does the Kuwait Labour Law apply to domestic workers?
No. Domestic workers are covered by Law 68/2015 and the Domestic Labour Department, now under PAM.