Kuwait Labor Working Hours, Leaves and Vacations
In this article we will look at some of the basic provisions of the Kuwait Labor law specifically about
working hours, leaves and vacations of Expat workers in Kuwait. If you’re planning to go to Kuwait for work, or even if you already employed here, you may want to take note of some of the key points that we will detail in this brief article.
Employment under Kuwait Labor Law
Leave and Vacation of Workers in Kuwait
Disclaimer: All citations and references in this article have been lifted from the Kuwait Labor Code which is regulated and enforced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL). All information used and shared through this content is specifically intended for information-sharing only. To learn more about the employees’ official leaves and vacations under the Kuwaiti Labor Code, you may refer to the MOSAL’s resource material for foreign workers available here.
Working Hours and Holiday Leave (Section 2 – Article 64) (Specific provisions, however, apply to juvenile workers and women – Articles 21 and 24)
In principle, employees are allowed to work for NOT more than 48 hours per week or eight (8) hours per day whereas working hours during Ramadan should total to only 36 hours per week.
Also, employees are entitled to at least one (1) hour break for every 5 hours of continuous work, wherein this (1) hour break shall not be considered part of the regular working hours.
Private Sector Kuwait Labor Law, New Labor Law 2010
Employees can also choose to have at least one (1) day off per week. This is usually scheduled on a Friday and without pay.
If an employee is made to work in excess of the statutory working hours prescribed by the law, the employer is expected to enter into a written agreement which details the provisions and the need for overtime work. Overtime rates are as follows:
For every excess hour:
On ordinary days – 1.25x the basic hourly rate
On weekly days off – 1.50x the basic hourly rate
On public holidays – 2x the basic hourly rate
Overtime work should NOT go beyond 2 hours per day, and a total of 90 days in a year. The employee also holds the right to refuse overtime work.
Annual Leave with Pay (Section 3 -Article 70)
Employees in Kuwait are entitled to a 30-day annual leave with pay. However, this can only be availed until he/she has rendered at least 9 months of continuous service under one employer. Also, sick leaves and official holidays are not included in the annual leave. The worker shall be entitled to a leave for a fraction of the year in proportion to the time he spent at work, even during his/her first year of employment.
Kuwait Labor Law Chapter6, Work Inspection Penalties, English Labor Law Kuwait
Paid Sick Leave (Article 69)
Provided that an employee can present a medical report from a company-accredited doctor, he/she can avail a sick leave with pay, defined as follows:
The first six (6) days – at full pay
The next six (6) days – at three-fourths pay
The next six (6) days – at half pay
The next six (6) days – at one-fourth pay
And the next six (6) days – without pay
Public Holidays (Article 68)
The list of official holidays with pay in Kuwait is as follows:
Hegeira New Year: 1 day
Isra’ and Mi’raj day: 1 day
Eid Al-Fitr: 3 days
Waqfat Arafat: 1 day
Eid Al-Adha: 3 days
Prophet’s Birthday (Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi): 1 day
National Day: 1 day\
Gregorian New Year: 1 day
Kuwait Labor Law Chapter7, Final Provisions, English Labor Law Kuwait
If an employee agrees to work on any of these public holidays, he/she is entitled to receive double pay and an additional day-off.
Much of what is being observed in terms of employment in most countries today follow international labor practices and standard laws, however, we must also understand that work, as influenced by a country’s unique culture can be quite different from what we’ve been accustomed to. As employees, we need to know and exercise our rights, and integrate it in our lifestyle as we adapt to a unique work culture, if we are working in a foreign country such as Kuwait.
Kuwait Labor Law English Version