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Legal Protections for Young Workers in Kuwait
Kuwait's Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 dedicates specific provisions to the protection of juvenile workers and those undergoing vocational training. These rules exist to prevent exploitation, ensure safety, and promote skill development among young people in the private sector.
Minimum Working Age
Article 19 sets an absolute minimum: no person under the age of 15 may be employed. This rule is non-negotiable and applies across all private sector industries and roles in Kuwait.
For young people aged 15 to 18, employment is permitted only under specific conditions outlined below.
Rules for Employing Workers Aged 15 to 18
Under Article 20, employing a juvenile (aged 15 to under 18) requires:
- Prior permission from the Ministry (now the General Authority for Manpower)
- The juvenile cannot be employed in dangerous or hazardous industries or occupations — a list of prohibited industries is determined by ministerial decision
- A medical examination must be conducted before employment begins
- Further periodic medical checks must occur at least every six months after employment starts
Practical advice for expat parents: If your child is considering part-time or informal work in Kuwait, ensure the employer has obtained the required ministerial permission and conducted the necessary medical checks.
Maximum Working Hours for Juveniles
Article 21 sets strict daily limits for workers under 18:
- Maximum 6 hours per day
- No more than 4 consecutive hours of work — a rest break of at least 1 hour must follow
- No overtime is permitted for juvenile workers under any circumstances
- Juveniles cannot work on weekly rest days or official public holidays
- Working hours between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM are completely prohibited
These rules are considerably more protective than those for adult workers and reflect Kuwait's commitment to safeguarding young people in the labour market.
Contract Capacity for Young Workers
Article 27 addresses the legal capacity of young people to sign employment contracts:
- A person who has reached 15 years of age has the legal capacity to enter into an open-ended employment contract
- However, if the contract is fixed-term, it cannot exceed one year until the worker turns 18
This provision ensures that young workers are not locked into lengthy contractual commitments before reaching adulthood.
Vocational Apprenticeships (التلمذة المهنية)
Kuwait's labour law creates a formal framework for vocational apprenticeships under Articles 12 to 14.
Who Is an Apprentice?
Under Article 12, a vocational apprentice is someone who:
- Has reached the age of 15
- Has entered into a contract with a business for the purpose of learning a trade or profession
- Is working under agreed conditions for a specified period
Where specific apprenticeship rules do not apply, the general juvenile worker provisions of the law govern the apprentice's situation.
Apprenticeship Contract Requirements
Article 13 requires that the apprenticeship contract must be:
- In writing (not verbal)
- Prepared in three copies: one for the apprentice, one for the employer, and one filed with the Ministry within one week for endorsement
The contract must clearly state:
- The specific trade or profession being learned
- The duration of the apprenticeship and its sequential stages
- A graduated wage for each stage of training
- The wage in the final stage must not be below the legally prescribed minimum wage
Ending an Apprenticeship
Article 14 allows either party to terminate the apprenticeship:
- The employer can end the contract if the apprentice fails to meet their obligations or shows an inability to learn based on periodic assessments
- The apprentice can also end the contract voluntarily
- Either party must give at least 7 days' written notice before terminating
Vocational Training (التدريب المهني)
Beyond formal apprenticeships, Article 15 defines vocational training as theoretical and practical programs that:
- Help workers develop knowledge and skills
- Prepare them for a specific profession
- Allow workers to transition into a new profession
Training can take place at dedicated institutes, training centres, or within the business itself.
Full Pay During Training
Article 17 provides a strong protection: workers must receive their full wage during the entire training period, whether training occurs inside or outside the workplace.
Post-Training Work Obligation
Article 18 creates an important obligation that expats and their families should understand clearly:
- After completing training or an apprenticeship, the worker must remain employed by the sponsoring employer for a period equal to the training duration, up to a maximum of 5 years
- If the worker leaves early, the employer may recover the training costs in proportion to the remaining unfulfilled period
Expat tip: If you or your child are offered employer-sponsored training in Kuwait, read the training agreement carefully. Leaving early without fulfilling the post-training commitment could result in a financial penalty.
Key Takeaways for Expats
- Children under 15 cannot legally work in Kuwait's private sector
- Workers aged 15–18 require ministerial permission, medical checks, and face strict hour limits
- All apprenticeship contracts must be written, three-part, and registered with authorities
- Apprentices in their final training stage must receive at least the minimum wage
- Workers who receive training are obligated to stay with their employer for up to 5 years afterward
- Workers receive full pay throughout training — this cannot be reduced