Kuwait Warns Employers Against Violating Rules on Women’s Jobs

The Public Authority for Manpower of Kuwait is stepping up its efforts to monitor compliance with labour laws in the private sector regarding employment of women. A new digital reporting service will enable members of the public to report violations that involve women in jobs they are not allowed to attend, or services proffered by certain businesses.

The transfer is part of PAM’s comprehensive actions aimed at improving monitoring of the labour market and complying with Kuwait’s Labour Law and related decisions issued by the Public Assembly.

Rules on Night Work

Women’s rights in Kuwait also come under constitutional provisions restricting their employment to specific hours, usually between 10pm and 7am and exceptions, as in Kuwait, are determined by ministerial decree. In situations where it is allowed, employers will have to comply with security measures and arrange for getting the employee at and from the work site.

Employers should therefore ensure that arrangements of shifts are in accordance with the relevant rules and do not assume that all kinds of trades can send female employees on overnight shifts to work.

Limits to Hazardous Work

The law also forbids the use of women in hazardous, strenuous and unhealthy jobs. It also imposes qualification requirements on jobs at specific gaming venues or activities where they provide only gaming services to men, as determined by the relevant decisions made by a minister.

These all belong to Kuwait’s legal guidelines to protect workers and regulate their working conditions.

Digital Reporting and Inspections

The new “Report Me” service of PAM is an electronic reporting tool via the Sahel application to report violations of labour laws. According to the authority, the service is designed to facilitate surveillance and citizen’s oversight of the violation.

The reporting initiative goes hand-in-hand with a wider inspection programme. PAM has previously announced field campaigns and administrative action against establishments that are not compliant with labour legislation, such as the suspension of an employer’s file subject to a decision made to correct the violation when it comes into effect.

What Employers Need to Know?

Employers should review job assignments, working conditions and shift plans of female employees. Special care should be given where work is carried out at night or to activities that may be dangerous to physically stressful or other circumstances that make the work difficult.

Businesses also should ensure that for any night work that is allowed, the transportation and security requirements are complied with. Guidelines may differ depending on the activity and decisions of the relevant ministers.

FAQs

What are Kuwait’s main restrictions on women’s employment?

The Labour Law bans women workers from dangerous/harmful work and allows night work with exceptions and conditions.

Do women work late shifts in Kuwait?

An exemption or regulating conditions may be applicable for women to work during limited nighttime hours.

How can violations be reported?

Violation of labour laws can be reported electronically via PAMs “Report Me” service using the Sahel application.