Kuwait introduces evening shift in government offices to boost services and efficiency

The government agencies in Kuwait, starting today, 4th January, will implement evening work as per the Cabinet’s recent decision. Sources from the Civil Service Bureau informed Al Jarida that all government bodies have received instructions on key procedures for the evening shift. These include defining the responsibilities of the evening team, managing the increased number of service recipients during the extended hours, ensuring adequate technical and service support, and assigning a public official to oversee the evening shift’s operations.

The sources also emphasized that the objectives of implementing the evening work period are to enhance the work environment within the government sector, simplify and streamline procedures, increase overall productivity, and address issues such as job overcrowding and disguised unemployment.

The implementation of evening work will be carried out in three phases: the first phase begins today, January 5, 2025, marking the start of the initiative. The second phase, lasting six months, will involve a trial operation period during which the experiment will be evaluated and necessary adjustments made. The third phase will focus on submitting progress reports every two months, starting at the end of the second phase, as part of the final stabilization period for the initiative.

Al Jarida learned from government sources that many government agencies have confirmed their approval to begin evening work in their respective sectors, with between 20% and 30% of the workforce participating in the evening shifts.

However, some agencies have either requested to postpone the initiative to future stages or expressed their unwillingness to implement evening work. This is due to the nature of their services, which may not require client interaction during evening hours, as seen in the case of the Ministry of Oil and its affiliated companies.

Benefits of Evening Shifts

Sources confirmed that the Council of Ministers has urged all government agencies to comply with the directives to ensure the success of the evening work project.

The Civil Service Bureau emphasized that implementing the evening work schedule would bring significant benefits, including enhanced employee productivity, improved efficiency in government operations, expanded access to government services, and better customer service.

Additionally, the schedule is expected to alleviate morning traffic congestion and provide social advantages for Kuwaiti families, contributing to a more balanced work-life dynamic.

The Court affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the evening work schedule, citing its numerous advantages. Among these benefits is the flexibility it offers employees, allowing them to choose between working during the morning or evening periods.

The evening shift will be implemented over a continuous period of seven months. During this period, employees assigned to the evening shift will not be eligible to transfer back to the morning shift. It was noted that the total number of state employees exceeds 300,000, with approximately 20-30%; equivalent to around 90,000 employees expected to transition to the evening shift.

The sources explained that the evening shift will undergo a six-month trial period aimed at refining the initiative and maximizing its benefits to enhance government efficiency and foster human and creative potential. This shift addresses a vital need for citizens, as the Council of Ministers has decided to extend service hours to better serve the public.

The initiative includes central departments where work tends to accumulate, utilizing the evening hours to complete pending tasks. This decision reflects the Council’s commitment to expanding government services for both citizens and residents while also boosting employee productivity across the country.