Ending an Employment Contract in Kuwait: Notice, Dismissal and Compensation

Notice periods in Kuwait, dismissal without notice, arbitrary dismissal, early termination of fixed-term contracts and how resignation affects gratuity under Law No. 6 of 2010.

The law

Termination of private-sector employment in Kuwait is governed by Law No. 6 of 2010.

Notice (Article 44)

Either party may end an indefinite contract with written notice: three months for monthly-paid workers, one month for others. Pay in lieu of notice is allowed.

Dismissal without notice (Article 41)

The employer may dismiss without notice, compensation or gratuity for the serious acts listed in Article 41. The worker may challenge the dismissal before the labour court.

Arbitrary dismissal (Article 46)

Dismissal without justification, for union activity, for claiming legal rights, or on grounds of sex, origin or religion is prohibited. The worker is entitled to court-assessed compensation in addition to the gratuity.

Fixed-term contracts (Article 47)

Wrongful early termination requires compensation; the worker's compensation cannot exceed the wage for the remaining term.

Leaving without notice (Article 48) and resignation (Article 53)

A worker may leave without notice and keep the full gratuity where the employer breaches the contract or assaults the worker. On resignation from an indefinite contract: nothing before 3 years, half from 3 to under 5, two thirds from 5 to under 10, the full gratuity from 10 years.

Claims

Start with a complaint to the Labour Relations Department of the Public Authority for Manpower; unresolved complaints go to the labour court. General information, not legal advice.