SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Living wage
Section One – The Remuneration
Article (55)
The remuneration means the basic payment the worker receives or should receive in consideration of his work in addition to all elements stipulated in the contract or the employer by-laws.
Without prejudice to the social allowance and the children allowance granted by virtue of Law No. 19 of the year 2000, the remuneration shall include the payments made to the worker on periodic basis such as bonuses, benefits, allowances, grants, endowments or cash benefits.
In the event where the worker’s remuneration is a share of the net profits and the establishment did not make any profits or made little profits in such a way that the worker’s share is not proportionate to the work he performed, his remuneration shall be estimated based on the remuneration determined for a similar job or according to the profession custom or the prerequisites of fairness.
Article (56)
Remunerations are paid during the working days in the country’s currency, as follows:
a- Workers with a monthly remuneration shall receive their remunerations at least once a month.
b- Other workers shall receive their remunerations at least once every two weeks.
Payment of remunerations shall not be delayed for more than seven days after the due date thereof.
Article (57)
The employer, who employs his workers in accordance with the provisions of this Law, shall pay the workers’ entitlements to their accounts at local financial establishments. He shall also send a copy of statements submitted to these institutions in this regard to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
A resolution by the Council of Ministers shall be issued based on the proposal of the ministers of Social Affairs and Labor, and Finance in order to determine these institutions and the regulations relevant to these accounts in terms of charges, commissions and relevant organizational procedures.
Article (58)
The employer shall not be allowed to transfer a worker who is paid on a monthly basis to another category of payment without a written consent from such worker and without prejudice to the rights the worker has acquired by working on a monthly basis.
Article (59)
a- It is not allowed to deduct more than 10 percent of the worker’s remuneration for the payment of loans or debts due to the employer who shall not impose any interest thereon.
b- Not more than 25% of the remuneration due to the worker may be attached, waived or deducted for the debt of alimony or the debt related to food, clothes or other debts including debts toward the employer. Where the various debts compete for the aforesaid portion of the remuneration, the alimony debt shall have priority over the other debts.
Article (60)
The worker shall not be obliged to buy foodstuffs or commodities from specific outlets or products produced by the employer.
Article (61)
The employer shall pay the workers’ remunerations during the closure period, in the event where he deliberately closes the establishment to force the workers to obey and submit to his demands. He shall also pay the remuneration of workers throughout the complete or partial period of closure in case such closure is due to any other reason not related to the workers as long as the employer wishes them to keep working for his account.
Article (62)
The calculation of the worker’s entitlements shall be made on the basis of the last remuneration received by the worker. In the event where the worker is paid based on piecework, his remuneration shall be defined by the average of the remuneration earned by him during the actual working days in the last three months.
The cash and in-kind benefits shall be calculated by dividing the average of the amount earned by the worker during the last 12 months by the entitlements. In the event where the period of service is less than one year, the average shall be calculated according to the period of his actual service. The worker’s remuneration may not be reduced for any reason during the period of service.
Article (63)
The Minister shall issue a resolution every five years at the latest, in which he shall fix the minimum remuneration depending on the nature of the various professions and industries, taking into consideration the rate of inflation witnessed by the country and after discussing such resolution with the Advisory Committee for Labor Affairs and the competent organizations.
Kuwait is a nation brimming with potential and a thriving economy, making it an enticing prospect for individuals searching for a rewarding career. The country has a vibrant and varied job market, with multiple thriving sectors, including oil and gas, healthcare, construction, finance, and many more.
With its myriad of opportunities, Kuwait is an attractive destination for those seeking an exciting career path. Keep reading to know more about the average salaries in Kuwait for different categories of workers.
Average salary in Kuwait by industry 2023
Kuwait offers abundant prospects for career advancement, regardless of your experience level. The country’s strong economy and dynamic job market provide an excellent environment for professionals to succeed. With modern facilities, superior transportation links, and world-class infrastructure, Kuwait is an ideal location for individuals to develop and advance their careers.
Kuwait is also renowned for having the world’s most potent currency, making it an attractive destination for professionals seeking a lucrative career. In fact, according to a recent study, Kuwait ranks 4th in the Arab world and 26th globally in terms of average monthly salaries. At present, the average net monthly salary in Kuwait stands at KWD 1,260, which speaks to the country’s high-paying job opportunities.
Here are the monthly average salaries for various professions across the country, collected from multiple sources.
Public and private sector
The average income for both Kuwaiti males and females, whether employed in the public or private sector, is KWD 1,493, with a slight increase from KWD 1,491 reported at the end of 2021. In contrast, non-Kuwaiti workers in either sector continue to receive a significantly lower average wage of KWD 338, with no noticeable change from the year-end statistics of 2021.
Legal
The average salary for legal professionals in Kuwait in 2023 is around KWD 1,520 per month. The salary range for legal professionals in Kuwait is from KWD 470 (lowest average) to KWD 3,760 (highest average) per month, with a median salary of KWD 1,330 per month. The salary may vary depending on the specific job title, experience level, qualifications, and other factors.
The highest average salary in the legal field is earned by an Administrative Law Judge with KWD 3,580 per month, followed by an Attorney with an average salary of KWD 2,650. An Associate Attorney earns an average salary of KWD 1,660, while an Arbitrator earns an average salary of KWD 1,650. The lowest average salary is for a Bailiff, who earns KWD 780 per month on average.
Just like the other countries in Middle East, Kuwait has interesting things to offer when talking about employment. Some expats chose to work here for different reasons and for sure, one factor is that there is no personal taxation in this country. If you’re just started working here in this country or planning to within this year, there are important matter you need to consider. These include the working hours, salary, and overtime pay.
Before you even fly to a different country to work, be sure to obtain information that can affect your stay in that country. For example, if you are considering Kuwait, do you agree to the labor law they have there? Are you okay with the salary? Are you up to work overtime? These are just some of the questions you have to ask yourself prior to deciding. To keep you guided on the working hours, salary, and overtime in Kuwait, here’s the list of things you need to know.
Here are some important tips and details if ever you come to Kuwait and search for employment. Please be guided accordingly.
Salary in Kuwait
No personal tax so you can take home a higher net income.
The old salary in Kuwait was composed of basic salary, air tickets for going home, car allowance, housing allowance, medical coverage and fee for the education of children.
The new salary here is consolidated to cover all these allowances, meaning, your basic salary now is a combination of your basic pay and all other allowances. There are instances that performance bonuses are given on top of your basic pay.
Employees are entitled to indemnity at the end of contract. This serves as a thank-you reward for expats for rendering their services to the state. Usually, this is equivalent to 15 days of basic pay per year for the first three years of service and a month’s salary per for the succeeding years. Not bad for those who want to live a high life after years of working.
Working Hours and Overtime in Kuwait
The working hours in Kuwait varies. There are some companies that require 40 and 48 hours per week depending on their policies.
Office hours can be 8:30 to 9:00 or 5:30 to 6:00.
During Ramadan, working hours is reduced to 6 hours per day to honor the sacredness of the celebration. This is legally applied to all employees but there are cases that companies only apply this to Muslims.
Friday is a rest day in Kuwait. This can be followed by either Saturday or Thursday, depending on the policy of the company. Still you will have 2 rest days a week that can serve as your weekends.
If you work beyond the working hours, you should be entitled to overtime pay equal to 125% or 150% of your basic pay per hour.
Be reminded that usually, these provisions are in your employment contract. Reading your agreement with your employer should be a must if you want to maximize your advantage as an employee in Kuwait. Remember, being aware of the labor law is an edge for expats working abroad.
It is always good to know what to expect beforehand to avoid issues with your employer when you finally land a job. In Kuwait, please be reminded of these provisions and understand each point to the best of your ability. Having the knowledge is very important to be aware of your rights as an employee and avoid further issues in the future.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
A person working in Kuwait typically earns around 1,270 KWD. Salaries range from 320 KWD (lowest average) to 5,640 KWD (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
Salary Variance
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Kuwait vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Pay Scale and Salaries in Kuwait
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries in Kuwait range from 320 KWD (starting salary) to 5,640 KWD (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
The American University of Kuwait (AUM) is committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation for all its staff and faculty. AUM recognizes the importance of financial stability and the well-being of its employees. As part of this commitment, the university pays all its staff and faculty at least the living wage, which is either defined by the local government or calculated based on the local poverty indicator for a family of four, expressed as an hourly wage. By providing this minimum level of income, AUM not only respects the dignity and livelihood of its workforce but also contributes to a work environment that values economic security and promotes a higher quality of life for all its employees.
AUM follows the policies set by the government and therefore follows the corresponding regulations to pay each of its employees their living wages that are set by law, in addition every two years they can get a salary increase, which ranges from 25 to 150 Kuwaiti dinars, each of the workers associated with AUM is linked to a health insurance, employees are entitled to unpaid leave due to illness, inconvenience, or other cases.
Employee empowerment and worker protection are both promoted by the labor law of Kuwait. Regulation of individual and group employment interactions is one of its essential functions. Promotes workplace relationships and reduces the number of industrial conflicts.
Employment legislation is a significant phrase that essentially encompasses all the features that might enable someone to get practical advantages while working in a firm.
AUM follows the processes in the construction of each worker's contract, specifically following Article 28 of the Kuwait labor Law, more specifically Chapter Three: Individual Work Contract, Section One: Work Contract Structure.
The human resources department at AUM has the purpose of supporting general affairs, human resources and payroll, planning, programming and monitoring of administrative activity.
Any problem associated with the university is dealt with by this control group, regulating the behavior of workers, respecting their rights, their needs.
AUM is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to attracting and retaining the best talents across the globe. With faculty members and staff coming from more than 60 countries, AUM’s close-knit learning and teaching environment celebrates diversity, innovation, and dynamism.
A career at AUM is an opportunity to work with accomplished academic and professional colleagues from different educational and cultural backgrounds, and an opportunity for career and intellectual growth, among many other benefits:
Remuneration Packages: AUM offers internationally competitive salaries and remuneration packages
Career growth opportunities: AUM will support your development goals through inclusive personal and professional development programs and activities, as well as academic promotions guidance.
Research Support: All faculty members are eligible for research fund with a dedicated support by research team.
Access to facilities: AUM campus houses cutting-edge facilities that faculty and staff can benefit from such as Sports Center, Library, Research and Innovation Center, Cultural Center and Opera House, and more than 55 laboratories.
Health and Well-being: medical insurance, gym membership, clinic services, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Click here to explore the Sports Center considered one of the largest university sports complexes in Kuwait and the Middle East.
AUM Contrat Page
https://www.aum.edu.kw/english/contact-us
Within the university's control of both students and those interested in working at AUM, contact information is available for both the administrative and human resources areas.
Kuwait Laws:
The minister must issue a decision every five years as a maximum, specifying the minimum wage according to the nature of professions and industries, based on the inflation rates witnessed by the country, after consulting with the Advisory Committee on Labor Affairs and the competent organizations.
