I joined a local company on a fixed period contract nearly three years ago. My contract was for two years but my company and I continued with it after the expiry without signing a new contract. Now I have got a better job offer and want to leave the company, but my employers say I have to work a year more as the first contract we signed was for two years and this one is also for two years. What can I do? Will I have to compensate the company if I quit?

Name withheld

Answer: The company is completely wrong. You would have to compensate the company if you had terminated the contract during the fixed two-year period, as is not in your case. According to Article 52 of the Kuwait Labour Law if a contract is made for a fixed period and both parties continue to implement it after its expiry, it shall be deemed renewed for an unlimited period under the same conditions specified therein.

So, unless there is a notice period specified in your contract you can give a notice according to the labour law except in one case if the contract specifies that it will automatically be renewed for another fixed period of two years if both parties continue to implement it after its expiry.