16/04/2026
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16/04/2026
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Kuwait's Interior Minister issues resolution amending work permit fee exemptions
KUWAIT CITY, Apr 16: The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, has issued Ministerial Resolution No. (2) of 2026, allowing the transfer of workers recruited in certain prohibited sectors to other eligible sectors for a temporary period, subject to specific regulations and employer approval.
The resolution, which will be in effect from May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, is aimed at regulating the labour market, responding to current economic and operational changes, and introducing flexible solutions that balance market needs with the stability of employment relations.
It covers workers in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, industrial sector, agricultural sector, livestock sector, and fishing sector, allowing them to transfer outside these restricted categories during the specified period.
PAM said the decision reflects the government’s efforts to enhance efficiency in labour market procedures while ensuring stability and maintaining balance between employers and workers. It emphasized that all transfers will require the approval of the original employer and is strictly a temporary, regulated exception and not a permanent policy change..
The authority also confirmed that applications will be processed through the “Ashal Portal” online service, where employers can submit transfer requests for workers under their sponsorship in the affected sectors. All requests will be subject to verification and approval procedures before implementation.
Officials added that the resolution is designed to ensure orderly labour market functioning while safeguarding contractual rights and supporting operational flexibility within a defined timeframe.
By John C Fernandes
Online Media Manager, Arab Times
