- New rules in Kuwait will allow expats to take on part-time work in addition to their full-time job, with certain conditions. This aims to help employers better utilize expats already in the country.
- Remote working will also be permitted for expats where physical presence is unnecessary, pending employer approval and official guidelines. This provides more flexibility.
- The reforms take effect from January 2024 as Kuwait seeks to modernize expatriate employment regulations. This could aid worker retention and productivity.
Kuwait has introduced new regulations that will allow expatriates more flexibility in their working arrangements, according to an announcement by the country’s Deputy Prime Minister.
Under the new rules, expats working in the private sector will be able to take on part-time employment in addition to their full-time job, provided they obtain approval from their primary employer. Employees can work up to 4 hours per day in a part-time capacity, except those in the contracting sector who are exempt from hourly limits.
The policy change aims to help employers make better use of expats already present in Kuwait, without the need for additional overseas recruitment.
Remote working will also be permitted in cases where physical presence in the workplace is unnecessary. Expat staff will need consent from their employer and follow official guidelines before working from home.
The reforms are set to take effect from January 2024 as Kuwait seeks to address demographic balances in its large expatriate population. Expats make up over two-thirds of the country’s total population.
Critics argue the new rules do not go far enough, saying full labor law reforms are needed to support expat rights. However, supporters see it as a step in the right direction.
The policy shift indicates Kuwait’s willingness to modernize its expatriate employment regulations. Flexible and remote working have become increasingly common across the world, driven by technological advances.
As one of the Gulf’s major economic hubs, the country is under pressure to remain competitive in attracting skilled foreign workers. The new rules could aid retention and boost productivity among expats already living in Kuwait.
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