Kuwait’s Manpower Authority Tightens Regulation on Recording Working Hours for the Private Sector

The Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) has issued Ministerial Decree No. (15) of 2025 Regarding the Working Hours Regulation (”Decree”), which was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm on 14 September 2025.

This new Decree introduces several important requirements, primarily for the private sector.

Key points include:

Digital Submission of Information.

• Employers are required to submit daily working hours, rest periods, weekends and official holidays into the electronic system of PAM dedicated for this purpose. These records must also be updated promptly when necessary.
• PAM will consider these electronic records as official reference to an employer’s file and shall rely on the same for workplace inspections. The employer must also ensure that this information is printed and visibly displayed in the workplace.
• PAM in its authority will be able to take legal procedures against any employer who does not comply with this Decree, including partial or complete suspension of the employer’s labour file with PAM.
• The Decree reinforces existing provisions of the Kuwait Labour Law, notably articles dealing with working hours, rest and break periods. The Decree does not change fundamental rights of the Labour Law but rather seems intended to strengthen compliance with the provisions of the law and how they are documented, verified and enforced.
• The Decree will take effect from the 1st of November 2025, obligating all applicable bodies to follow its implementation.

HFW will keep a close eye on implementation and oversight measures following this Decree.