Kuwait's labor law establishes clear regulations regarding working hours, overtime, rest periods, and other aspects of employee working time. These rules are designed to protect employee welfare and ensure fair compensation for work performed. Employers operating in Kuwait must adhere strictly to these provisions to maintain compliance and avoid potential legal issues.
Understanding and implementing the correct working time policies is crucial for businesses employing staff in Kuwait. This includes setting standard hours, managing overtime requests appropriately, ensuring employees receive mandatory breaks and rest days, and accurately recording all working time. Compliance with these regulations is a fundamental requirement for operating legally within the country.
Standard Working Hours and Workweek
The standard working hours in Kuwait are generally set by the labor law. For most employees, the maximum ordinary working hours are limited to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are typically reduced for Muslim employees.
The standard workweek in Kuwait is six days, with Friday usually being the mandatory weekly rest day. However, many companies operate on a five-day workweek, granting employees two rest days, often Friday and Saturday.
| Aspect | Standard Regulation |
|---|---|
| Maximum Daily Hours | 8 hours |
| Maximum Weekly Hours | 48 hours |
| Standard Workweek | 6 days (typically Saturday to Thursday) |
| Mandatory Rest Day | Friday |
| Ramadan Hours | Reduced (specific limits apply) |
Overtime Regulations and Compensation
Work performed beyond the standard working hours is considered overtime. Kuwaiti labor law permits overtime under specific conditions and mandates premium compensation rates for such work. The total working hours, including overtime, should not exceed a certain limit per day or week, typically 11 hours per day.
Overtime compensation rates vary depending on when the overtime is worked:
| Overtime Period | Minimum Compensation Rate (of basic wage) |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Working Days | 1.25 times the basic wage |
| Rest Days (e.g., Friday) | 1.5 times the basic wage |
| Public Holidays | 2 times the basic wage |
Employers must obtain the employee's consent for overtime work, except in specific urgent circumstances defined by law.
Rest Periods and Break Entitlements
Employees are entitled to rest periods during the workday. The law stipulates that employees working continuously for five hours must be granted a rest period of at least half an hour. This break is not included in the calculation of working hours.
In addition to daily breaks, employees are entitled to a mandatory weekly rest day, which is typically Friday. This rest day must be a full 24 consecutive hours.
| Type of Rest/Break | Minimum Entitlement | Inclusion in Working Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Break | 30 minutes after 5 hours continuous work | Not included |
| Weekly Rest Day | 24 consecutive hours | Not applicable |
Night Shift and Weekend Work Regulations
Kuwaiti labor law includes specific provisions for employees working night shifts or on weekends (which includes the mandatory rest day, Friday). While the general rules on maximum hours and overtime compensation apply, there may be additional considerations or restrictions, particularly concerning female employees working night shifts, although recent amendments have relaxed some previous restrictions.
Working on the mandatory weekly rest day (Friday) or on official public holidays is considered overtime and is compensated at higher rates as detailed in the overtime section. Employers must ensure that employees receive their entitled weekly rest day, even if their work schedule requires them to work on a different day of the week.
Working Time Recording Obligations
Employers in Kuwait are legally required to maintain accurate records of employee working hours. This includes standard hours worked, overtime hours, rest periods taken, and days worked (including weekends and public holidays).
These records are essential for demonstrating compliance with labor law regulations regarding maximum working hours, overtime compensation, and rest entitlements. Employers must be able to produce these records upon request by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour inspectors. Maintaining detailed and transparent timekeeping is a critical aspect of employer compliance in Kuwait.
