Revolutionizing Employment: Kuwait's Seamless Introduction of Online Part-Time Work Permits

In response to the recent introduction of a second job policy for private sector workers, Kuwait has launched an online service for obtaining part-time work permits. The Kuwaiti Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) announced the availability of the new service on Sahel, an electronic government services platform. This step aims to address labor market needs and provide a convenient facility for employers.

According to Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jarida, the service costs KD5 for a one-month permit, KD10 for three months, KD20 for six months, and KD30 for one year. Kuwaiti workers are exempt from these fees.

In December, Kuwait announced its decision to permit private sector workers in the country to take on a second part-time job with the approval of their original employers. This policy became effective last month. A decree from the Interior Ministry stipulates a maximum of four hours per day for the second part-time job, requiring an additional permit from PAM. However, the contracting sector, facing a labor shortage, is exempt from this time limit.

Authorities have stated that this step aims to utilize the existing manpower in Kuwait instead of recruiting laborers from abroad. This approach helps address demographic imbalances in the country while meeting the needs of the job market. Foreigners make up around 3.2 million of Kuwait’s total population of 4.6 million.

As part of its "Kuwaitisation" employment policy, the country is actively working to address its population imbalance by replacing foreign workers with its own citizens.