Lying in the Gulf region, Kuwait is a developed country, and it is the 5th most prosperous country in terms of Gross National Income per Capita. Kuwait houses the world’s 6th largest high reserves. The national currency of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Dinar, is the highest valued currency in the world.
Major economic hubs:
Al, Farwaniyah, Al Fahahil, Kuwait City, Ar Riqqah
Skills in demand:
Engineering, Information Technology, Medicine, Surgery, Real Estate.
Local Universities
The top local universities in Kuwait are as follows:
Listed below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Kuwait.
Employee Contract
The employment contract must be written in Arabic and a second language at the employee’s request.
Probation Period
The probation period for Kuwaiti employees is up to 100 days.
Public and Provincial Holidays
Date
Name
Type
1 Jan
New Year’s Day
Official holiday
7 Feb
Isra and Miraj
Official holiday
25 Feb
National Day
Official holiday
26 Feb
Liberation Day
Official holiday
10 Apr
Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
11 Apr
Eid al-Fitr holiday (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
12 Apr
Eid al-Fitr holiday (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
16 Jun
Waqfat Arafat Day (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
17 Jun
Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
18 Jun
Eid al-Adha holiday (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
19 Jun
Eid al-Adha holiday (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
8 Jul
Islamic New Year (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
16 Sep
The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date)
Official holiday
Employee Leaves
Type of Leave
Time Period
Mandatory
Annual Leave
30 days
Yes
Sick Leave
15 days
Yes
Maternity Leave
10 weeks
Yes
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Kuwait follows a monthly payroll cycle.
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Kuwait is set at 60 KWD per month for domestic employees and 75 KWD for private sector employees.
Overtime Pay
The standard working hours in Kuwait are 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. During the month of Ramadan, employees are expected to work a maximum of 36 hours per week. Overtime is permitted in the country with a cap of 180 hours a year, 3 days a week or 90 days a year. The overtime pay is 125% above the regular rate during daytime on weekdays and 150% above the regular rate during weekends.
Bonus
13th Month Pay
Employers in Kuwait are not mandated to release a 13th-month salary to their employees.
Employment in Kuwait can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment on substantial grounds. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee.
Upon termination by the employer, a Kuwaiti employee is entitled to 15 days salary for every working year (maximum of one-and-a-half year’s wages) as severance pay.
Visa and Immigration
A work visa and a NOC from the General Administration of Criminal Investigation at the Interior Ministry are required to work in Kuwait. Apart from this, the employee will also need a Police Clearance Certificate from the Regional Passport Office.
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