The Public Authority for Manpower issued an advisory directing employers to place the electronic attendance policy and its QR code at the main entrance of their establishments where inspectors can easily access it. During visits, officials will scan the code to review the policy and verify employee arrival and departure records directly, according to the authority. This requirement aims to support a structured approach to workplace monitoring across the private sector. The authority emphasized that adherence to the directive will help organize the work environment and simplify the overall inspection process.
According to the advisory, the move forms part of broader efforts to leverage digital tools in labor market regulation. PAM encouraged business owners to cooperate fully with the initiative to avoid any disruptions during compliance checks. The authority noted that the system allows for real-time confirmation of attendance data without reliance on paper records alone.
Central Statistical Bureau figures place Kuwait’s total labor force at roughly 3 million workers as of mid-2026, with expatriates accounting for nearly two-thirds of private sector employment where most PAM inspections occur. The private sector represents about 59 percent of total jobs or around 1.79 million positions, data from the bureau shows. Such scale underscores the need for efficient digital verification methods to cover the large workforce effectively.
PAM has expanded its digital services in recent months, including the launch of an online notification system for work absences that incorporates QR codes for authenticity verification through the As’hal portal, the authority reported earlier this year. These initiatives align with wider government efforts to reduce administrative burdens on employers while maintaining oversight. The electronic attendance framework builds on prior biometric and attendance reforms applied across various sectors.
Public Authority for Civil Information statistics indicate that expatriate workers, who dominate private sector roles subject to these inspections, numbered approximately 1.83 million excluding domestic help at the end of 2025, reflecting a 3.9 percent annual increase. Many of these employees are concentrated in construction, retail and services, areas where attendance tracking proves particularly relevant for regulatory compliance. The authority’s latest directive seeks to standardize how such records are presented during on-site reviews.
The Public Authority for Manpower continues to roll out measures that integrate technology into routine labor procedures, as evidenced by its growing suite of online portals for permits and notifications. Employers can access guidance on implementing the QR code display through PAM’s official channels, the authority stated. This latest step reinforces the shift toward paperless, verifiable systems that support both enforcement and operational transparency in Kuwait’s labor market.
