[Kuwait] Foreign workers permitted to switch employers early over labour violations

In Kuwait, new labour regulations have been introduced permitting foreign workers to change employers before completing one year of service under specific circumstances, Nairametrics reports.

The move aims to strengthen worker protections and hold employers more accountable for labour law compliance.

Under the revised rule, expat employees may transfer to a new employer if their current employer fails to meet key legal obligations, including the payment of salaries, processing of work and residency permits, or engages in conduct that justifies contract termination without notice, according to reporting from Travel Biz.

The new policy reportedly represents a significant departure from Kuwait’s previous labour framework, under which the majority of foreign workers were required to remain with the same employer for at least one year before becoming eligible to switch jobs, even when disputes arose.

The reform is expected to benefit thousands of the country’s expat workers. 

Kuwait is one of the Gulf region’s largest destinations for migrant labour, including professionals and skilled workers from countries such as India, the Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh and several African nations.

There are reportedly expectations that the revised policy will increase pressure on employers to comply with labour regulations. Companies found to be delaying salary payments, neglecting residency documentation or violating workers’ contractual rights will face the prospect of losing employees more quickly, reducing their ability to rely on mandatory employment periods to retain staff.

The move brings Kuwait in line with broader labour market reforms across several Gulf countries aimed at improving employment standards, increasing labour mobility and making regional labour markets more attractive to skilled foreign workers.

For expats, it offers more flexibility to look for alternative employment if working conditions deteriorate or employers fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

Under the new regulations, foreign workers can reportedly change employers before completing one year of employment if:

• Their employer fails to pay wages

• The employer does not complete work permit or residency procedures

• The employer commits violations that legally entitle the employee to terminate the contract without serving notice

• The employer’s labour file has been suspended or restricted by Kuwaiti authorities

• Authorities determine that an absconding complaint filed against the worker was malicious, false or submitted in error.

The changes are intended to give workers legal avenues to exit exploitative employment relationships without waiting for the mandatory one-year period to expire.

Source: Nairametrics

In Kuwait, new labour regulations have been introduced permitting foreign workers to change employers before completing one year of service under specific circumstances, Nairametrics reports.

The move aims to strengthen worker protections and hold employers more accountable for labour law compliance.

Under the revised rule, expat employees may transfer to a new employer if their current employer fails to meet key legal obligations, including the payment of salaries, processing of work and residency permits, or engages in conduct that justifies contract termination without notice, according to reporting from Travel Biz.

The new policy reportedly represents a significant departure from Kuwait’s previous labour framework, under which the majority of foreign workers were required to remain with the same employer for at least one year before becoming eligible to switch jobs, even when disputes arose.

The reform is expected to benefit thousands of the country’s expat workers. 

Kuwait is one of the Gulf region’s largest destinations for migrant labour, including professionals and skilled workers from countries such as India, the Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh and several African nations.

There are reportedly expectations that the revised policy will increase pressure on employers to comply with labour regulations. Companies found to be delaying salary payments, neglecting residency documentation or violating workers’ contractual rights will face the prospect of losing employees more quickly, reducing their ability to rely on mandatory employment periods to retain staff.

The move brings Kuwait in line with broader labour market reforms across several Gulf countries aimed at improving employment standards, increasing labour mobility and making regional labour markets more attractive to skilled foreign workers.

For expats, it offers more flexibility to look for alternative employment if working conditions deteriorate or employers fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

Under the new regulations, foreign workers can reportedly change employers before completing one year of employment if:

• Their employer fails to pay wages

• The employer does not complete work permit or residency procedures

• The employer commits violations that legally entitle the employee to terminate the contract without serving notice

• The employer’s labour file has been suspended or restricted by Kuwaiti authorities

• Authorities determine that an absconding complaint filed against the worker was malicious, false or submitted in error.

The changes are intended to give workers legal avenues to exit exploitative employment relationships without waiting for the mandatory one-year period to expire.

Source: Nairametrics