Kuwait’s one-year work permit system to take effect from June 1
New rules allow worker transfer after three years or for a 300-dinar fee, subject to sponsor approval, enhancing private sector hiring flexibility without impacting domestic workers.
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While work permit issuance continues, there is ongoing assessment to regulate specific professions within the Kuwaiti labor market.
Aseel Al-Mazyad, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department and official spokeswoman for the Public Authority for Manpower, confirmed a significant amendment to worker recruitment policies for private sector employment.
The new rules, effective from June 1, allow workers to transfer after three years or for a fee of 300 dinars, subject to sponsor approval. Notably, these changes do not apply to domestic workers but are aimed at enhancing flexibility in private sector staffing.
The decision streamlines the recruitment process, eliminating previous activity-based rate structures. It will be in effect for one year, undergoing review by the authority’s Board of Directors.
Al-Mazyad also mentioned the digitalization efforts, with work permits now accessible through the authority’s ‘Ashal’ app for business owners, part of a broader strategy to integrate services into the “Sahel” application. While work permit issuance continues, there is ongoing assessment to regulate specific professions within the Kuwaiti labor market.
The authority disclosed that it will celebrate World Occupational Safety Day next Sunday, themed “Towards a Safe Work Environment.”
The event will feature a workshop covering seven topics, with participation from seven government agencies. Each agency will discuss its specialty at the authority’s Occupational Safety Center throughout the full day, which includes discussions on inspection mechanisms and new procedures in occupational safety and security, along with safety methods.
