Kuwait Introduces New Labor Transfer Rules to Protect Workers from Employer Abuse

24/05/2026

Kuwait Introduces New Labor Transfer Rules to Protect Workers from Employer Abuse

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Kuwait City, May 24: Kuwait has introduced sweeping amendments to its labor transfer regulations aimed at protecting workers from employer negligence, residency-related violations, and malicious labor complaints, according to a new decision published in the official gazette “Kuwait Alyoum.”

Administrative Decision No. (680) of 2026, issued by the Ministry of Manpower, amends certain provisions of Administrative Decision No. (842) of 2015 governing the transfer of workers from one employer to another. The amendments authorize the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) to investigate labor complaints and permit workers to transfer to another employer before completing the mandatory one-year period under specific circumstances.

The decision added a final paragraph to Article Seven of the 2015 regulation, allowing PAM to review complaints submitted by workers seeking early transfer of their work permits whenever any of the following conditions are proven:

If the worker is unable to obtain a work permit or residency, or complete the required procedures, because of the employer’s negligence or failure — and not due to any fault of the worker.

If the employer’s file has been suspended or restricted, preventing the worker from completing residency or work permit procedures.

If the employer files a false or malicious absconding/job termination report against the worker, or misuses such reports to harm the worker, deny his rights, or block his transfer to another employer.

If the employer is proven to have violated any provisions listed under Article 48 of Kuwait’s Private Sector Labor Law No. 6 of 2010.

If either of the situations mentioned in Article 50 of Kuwait’s Private Sector Labor Law No. 6 of 2010 applies to the worker’s case.

The decision further defined a “defaulting employer” as any employer who recruited a worker under a work permit, or received a transferred worker before the completion of one year, and then failed, refused, or unjustifiably delayed the procedures necessary to issue the worker’s permit or residency. Employers whose files are suspended or restricted in a way that blocks completion of residency procedures may also be classified as defaulting employers, provided the delay is not caused by the worker.

Under the amendments, PAM has been granted powers to take administrative action against defaulting employers. Such measures may include suspending or restricting the issuance of new work permits, temporarily halting recruitment activity, or refusing applications to recruit additional workers until the violations are corrected and the status of affected workers is resolved.

The decision also states that any previous provisions conflicting with the new amendments will be canceled. The regulations came into effect immediately upon issuance and publication in the Official Gazette.

The move is considered part of Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to strengthen labor protections, address abuse of residency and reporting procedures, and ensure workers are not unfairly trapped by negligent or non-compliant employers.