The Public Authority for Manpower described annual leave as a legal right that serves the interests of both employees and employers when properly regulated. In an advisory issued under the Know Your Rights campaign, the authority highlighted key provisions from the Labour Law that govern how this entitlement is applied in the private sector. The authority urged all parties to familiarise themselves with these rules to support balanced workplace relations.
According to the Public Authority for Manpower, an employee is not entitled to annual leave in the first year of employment until completing at least six months of continuous service with the employer. This stipulation appears in Article 70 of the Labour Law that regulates private sector working conditions. The authority stressed that this initial period must be fulfilled before the benefit applies.
Employers possess the authority to set the timing of annual leave based on the specific requirements of their operations, the Public Authority for Manpower reported citing Article 72. At the same time, the law allows for the division of the total leave period into separate segments when the worker agrees to the arrangement and it complies with legal standards. The Public Authority for Manpower noted that such decisions should align with both business needs and statutory obligations.
The Public Authority for Manpower added that workers must receive their annual leave salary in full before the leave period begins as required by Article 71. This provision guarantees that employees obtain the payment prior to departure. The authority presented the advance payment as an integral element of the leave process.
The advisory forms part of the authority’s wider initiative under Law No. 6 of 2010 to educate the labour market on core employment protections. The Public Authority for Manpower has addressed multiple Labour Law topics through the same campaign in recent weeks, including occupational safety responsibilities. These reminders target the large private sector workforce that relies on clear guidance for compliance.
Central Statistical Bureau figures show that expatriates constitute the majority of private sector employees in Kuwait, increasing the importance of accessible information on entitlements. The Public Authority for Manpower distributes such advisories through its channels to reach employers and workers alike. Awareness of these provisions helps reduce misunderstandings over leave scheduling and compensation.
