The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) issued an advisory that sets out the rights of both employers and workers when it comes to occupational safety under Kuwait’s Labour Law, framing the issue as a shared duty. Employers possess the right to insist on worker compliance with safety protocols, proper use of personal protective equipment and reasonable self-protection steps, according to Article 87, while the authority pointed to Articles 83 and 86 in requiring employers to furnish such equipment free of charge so that workers can operate in a safe and healthy setting. PAM additionally highlighted the employer’s duty under Article 88 to secure insurance for staff against work-related injuries and illnesses.
In its statement, the authority described safety as a collective responsibility between the two sides. “Safety is a shared responsibility—it begins with commitment and ends with protection,” it said. The guidance arrives as PAM maintains pressure on high-risk industries to meet regulatory standards amid a labour market where expatriates represent the bulk of private-sector employment.
Earlier in 2026, PAM introduced a ministerial decree banning outdoor labour during the hottest hours of the day from June through August, with Director General Rabab Al-Eseimy explaining that the move draws on existing laws to safeguard employee well-being by mandating provision of cold water, first-aid supplies and regular breaks. The authority’s inspection drives concentrate on construction and manufacturing sites, where failure to uphold safety rules can lead to operational suspensions or other sanctions, according to PAM guidelines. Labour law summaries from industry guides confirm that employers carry the main burden for workplace conditions and must bear the costs of any occupational accidents, including full medical treatment for affected staff.
Public Authority for Civil Information figures show that expatriates form approximately two-thirds of Kuwait’s resident population, most of them active in the private workforce that PAM regulates, making clear communication of rights especially critical. Injured workers can claim compensation scaled to the level of disability, with payouts triggered when impairment reaches 25 percent or more, according to established provisions in the Labour Law. The authority also facilitates mechanisms for employees to contest unfair dismissals or contract endings while permitting employers to terminate agreements in legally justified circumstances.
Over the past year, PAM has expanded its electronic services to cover work schedule submissions and permit processing, measures that a regional review by PwC Middle East identified as part of active government efforts to digitise labour administration across the Gulf. These tools help inspectors verify adherence to safety and scheduling rules without unnecessary delays. The latest advisory reinforces the legal balance that seeks to protect worker health while supporting compliant employers.
