Ensure you have complete documentation!
In order to work in Kuwait, both a residence visa and a work permit are required. The official online portal of the Kuwaiti government provides information on how migrant workers can approach applying for (and renewing) work permits, residence permits, and civil IDs as well as replacing a non-Kuwaiti driver’s license. With the online government’s e-services, you may also request a foreign workers check-up as provided by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.
Sign a fair employment contract!
It is important to ensure that you have a written contract of your employment. Before signing, read your contract carefully. Do not sign a contract that you do not understand or agree with, and discuss and negotiate the terms of your contract with your employer. At a minimum, your contract should include the following: your personal details, your employer’s information, duration of contract, your job responsibilities and working hours, duration of annual leave and leave days, your salary and allowances, how overtime pay is calculated, end-of-service benefits, as well as termination and renewal terms. You should always keep a copy of the signed contract with you.
Inform yourself!
Find out more about the labour laws in the Kuwait. The official online portal of the Kuwaiti government provides information on the country’s legislations and laws in a range of topical areas including labour law.
Know your rights!
As a migrant worker in Kuwait, you generally have the right to keep your documents, to be paid once a month and during your annual leave, to take medical leave, to take one day off each week, to rest at least one hour per day during working hours, to refuse overtime work, to leave your workplace during time off, and to maintain freedom of movement. The Kuwait Society for Human Rights, the Dutch Embassy in Kuwait, and the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Domestic Labour have created a handbook for raising awareness of domestic workers’ rights. The guide is available in Arabic, English, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, and French. A similar guide for Indian migrant workers in Kuwait has been compiled by the International Labour Migration.
In cases of abuse, seek support!
Breaches of your employment contract by your employer should be reported to the Kuwaiti Department of Labour. The Kuwaiti government – specifically Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour – runs temporary shelters for female domestic workers who have escaped their employers.
Other useful information