Kuwait sets out when workers can quit without notice and keep end-of-service benefits

Kuwait has announced that private-sector workers can resign without prior notice and still be entitled to end-of-service benefits under certain conditions. The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) outlined the scenarios in which an employment contract can be legally terminated.

Workers may leave their jobs without notice if an employer violates the employment agreement or Labour Law, assaults the worker or their representative, or poses a serious threat to the worker's safety or health. The guidance, part of PAM’s “Know Your Rights” campaign, also covers instances when an employment contract ends by law, such as the worker's death, proven inability to perform the job, exhaustion of sick leave, permanent closure of the establishment, or a court ruling declaring the employer bankrupt.

Employers retain the right to terminate employment under conditions stipulated by Kuwait’s Labour Law. For indefinite-term contracts, the employer must provide legally required notice. In serious cases, a worker can be dismissed without notice. However, workers have the right to contest an unjustified dismissal.

The advisory referred to key articles of Kuwait’s Labour Law, with the specific provision depending on the circumstances surrounding the end of the employment relationship. PAM emphasized the importance of understanding the law to protect the rights and obligations of both parties, fostering a fair and safe working environment.