👷 For Workers · Law No. 68/2015 · PAM · Updated June 2026
Kuwait Maid, Driver & Cook
Rights Guide 2026
Complete rights guide for domestic workers in Kuwait — housemaids, private drivers, cooks, nannies and gardeners. Know your salary rights, leave, rest days, what is illegal, and how to get help.
✓ Salary Rights
✓ Annual Leave
✓ Rest Day
✓ Complaint Process
✓ Gratuity
✓ Passport Rights
Updated June 2026
✓ Sources: Kuwait Law No. 68/2015 · PAM · ILO Kuwait
⚖️ Domestic Workers Law No. 68/2015
⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about Kuwait law. For specific legal advice, contact PAM or a licensed labour lawyer. Laws are subject to change.
Law No. 68/2015
Your Legal Rights as a Domestic Worker in Kuwait
All rights guaranteed under Kuwait Domestic Workers Law No. 68/2015
📄 Written Contract
You have the right to a written employment contract in a language you understand. The contract must state your job title, salary, working hours, and accommodation.
💰 Salary Paid on Time
Your salary must be paid monthly, on or before the agreed date. Non-payment is a criminal labour violation you can report to PAM.
🏠 Accommodation & Food
Your sponsor is legally required to provide suitable accommodation and food at no cost to you. You must not be charged for housing or meals.
📅 30 Days Annual Leave
After completing one year of service you are entitled to 30 days paid annual leave. If you do not take leave, it must be compensated at your daily salary rate.
🌅 Weekly Rest Day
You are entitled to at least one full rest day per week. You are free to leave the accommodation on your rest day.
🏥 Medical Care
Your sponsor must provide medical care and health insurance (KD 100 MOH fee + employer plan). You should not pay for basic medical treatment.
✈️ Return Ticket on Departure
At the end of your contract, your sponsor must pay for your return ticket to your home country. You should not be stranded in Kuwait without repatriation.
🤲 End-of-Service Gratuity
After 1 year of service, you are entitled to end-of-service gratuity — 1 month's salary for each year worked. Use our
Indemnity Calculator to estimate your amount.
🛡️ Protection from Abuse
Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse by an employer is illegal. You can report abuse to the police (112) and PAM at any time.
🗣️ Right to Complain
You have the legal right to file complaints with PAM against your employer. Filing a complaint will not automatically result in deportation — PAM investigates both sides.
Employer Violations
What Your Employer Cannot Legally Do
🚫 Confiscate your passport
Holding your passport is illegal under Kuwait Decree Law No. 70/2015. Your passport belongs to you at all times.
🚫 Not pay your salary
Withholding salary for more than 1 month without reason is a labour violation. Report immediately to PAM.
🚫 Physically abuse you
Any physical harm is assault under Kuwait criminal law. Call police (112) immediately. You can also go to the nearest police station.
🚫 Lock you in the house
Confining you against your will is illegal. You have the right to leave the house on your rest day and in emergencies.
🚫 Deny medical care
If you are sick, your sponsor must take you to a doctor. Denying medical treatment is a violation of your employment contract and Kuwait law.
🚫 File false absconding report
Filing a false houroob (absconding) report to punish you for complaining is illegal. PAM investigates these cases.
Pay Rates 2026
Domestic Worker Salary Ranges in Kuwait
Typical market rates — confirm your exact salary in writing in your contract
| Worker Type | Typical Salary Range (KD/month) | Notes |
|---|
| Housemaid / Housekeeper | KD 40–90 | Varies by nationality, experience, family size |
| Nanny / Babysitter | KD 60–120 | Higher for experience with infants, languages |
| Private Driver | KD 70–150 | Higher for long hours, heavy vehicles, multiple cars |
| Private Cook | KD 60–130 | Higher for trained chefs or large household cooking |
| Gardener | KD 40–80 | Often part-time; live-in rates higher |
| Security Guard (private) | KD 60–100 | Varies by hours and family size |
⚠️ These are market estimates only. No single government-mandated minimum wage applies to all domestic workers in Kuwait. Some nationalities have bilateral minimum wage agreements — e.g. Philippines: minimum KD 60–80/month via POEA. Always confirm your salary in the signed contract before departing your home country.
Getting Help
How to File a Complaint Against Your Employer
If your employer is violating your rights, here is how to get help in Kuwait:
| Problem | Who to Contact | How |
|---|
| Salary not paid | PAM (Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour) | Visit PAM office or manpower.gov.kw |
| Physical abuse | Police first, then PAM | Call 112 or go to nearest police station |
| Passport confiscated | PAM + your embassy | PAM office + contact your country's embassy |
| Locked in home / confined | Police immediately | Call 112 |
| Denied rest day or leave | PAM | PAM office, file written complaint |
| False absconding report filed | PAM + lawyer | PAM Disputes Department — bring your contract |
| Employer refusing to repatriate | PAM + embassy | PAM + your home country embassy |
| Trafficked / exploited | Human trafficking hotline | Call 1844 (Kuwait anti-trafficking hotline) |
Emergency Contacts
Help Hotlines in Kuwait
🚨
Police / Emergency
112
24/7. For physical danger, abuse, or confinement.
⚖️
PAM Labour Helpline
1884
Ministry of Social Affairs — labour complaints & disputes.
🛡️
Anti-Trafficking Hotline
1844
24/7. For trafficking, exploitation, or urgent protection.
🏛️
Philippine Embassy
+965 2252-3008
For Filipino domestic workers needing consular help.
🏛️
Indian Embassy
+965 2253-0600
Indian workers in distress — consular protection.
🏛️
Indonesian Embassy
+965 2531-0231
Indonesian domestic workers — consular services.
💡 Important: Filing a complaint with PAM does NOT automatically mean you will be deported. PAM investigates both sides. If your employer is found to be at fault, PAM can order salary payment, fine the employer, and approve your residency transfer to a new sponsor.
End of Contract
End-of-Service Gratuity for Domestic Workers
Under Kuwait Domestic Workers Law No. 68/2015, you are entitled to end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
| Service Period | Gratuity Entitlement |
|---|
| Less than 1 year | No gratuity |
| 1–3 years (resignation) | 50% — half month per year |
| 3–5 years (resignation) | 66.67% — two-thirds per year |
| 5+ years (resignation) | 100% — 1 month per year |
| Terminated by employer | 100% — 1 month per year (any length) |
💡 Use the
Kuwait Indemnity Calculator to calculate your exact end-of-service gratuity amount based on your salary and years of service.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
My employer took my passport. What do I do?▾
Passport confiscation is illegal in Kuwait under Decree Law No. 70/2015. Steps: (1) If you can, leave and go to your home country's embassy in Kuwait — they will assist you and can issue emergency travel documents. (2) File a complaint with PAM. (3) If you are in danger, call police (112). Your embassy can also contact the Kuwait authorities on your behalf. Document all communication with your employer about the passport.
My salary has not been paid for months. What can I do?▾
Go to the nearest PAM office and file a written complaint. Bring your passport, Civil ID, and employment contract. PAM will contact your employer and investigate. If salary is proven unpaid, PAM can order payment and fine the employer. You can also call the PAM helpline at 1884. Keep any WhatsApp messages or evidence of your employment as proof.
Can I leave Kuwait if I am having problems with my employer?▾
You can legally leave Kuwait if you have a valid passport and your iqama is valid. However, if your employer has filed an absconding (houroob) report against you, you may be stopped at the airport. If you want to leave, first check your status at the MOI or via the Sahel app. If there is a block, contact PAM and your embassy before attempting to leave. Your embassy can issue emergency travel documents if your passport is withheld.
Am I entitled to a day off every week?▾
Yes. Under Kuwait Domestic Workers Law No. 68/2015, you are entitled to at least one full rest day per week. The specific day should be agreed with your employer. If your employer consistently refuses to give you a rest day, this is a labour violation you can report to PAM.
My employer filed an absconding (houroob) report against me. What now?▾
An absconding report triggers a travel ban and potential deportation order. Do not try to leave Kuwait immediately — you may be arrested at the airport. Instead: (1) Contact your home country's embassy immediately. (2) Go to PAM with your employment contract and evidence that you have not absconded but are facing a dispute. (3) PAM investigates — if the report is proven false, it is cancelled. If your employer filed it to silence you from complaining, PAM can take action against the employer.
How do I calculate my end-of-service gratuity?▾
Use our free
Kuwait Indemnity Calculator. Enter your monthly salary, start date, end date, and reason for leaving. The calculator gives you the exact KD amount you are owed based on Kuwait Domestic Workers Law No. 68/2015. If you resigned after less than 3 years you get 50% gratuity; 3–5 years is 66.67%; 5+ years or termination by employer is 100%.
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⚠️ This guide is for general information. For specific legal advice, contact PAM (1884), your home country embassy, or a licensed labour lawyer in Kuwait. Updated June 2026.