1 Ultimate Guide to Filing a Powerful Labour Complaint in Kuwait
Table of Contents
Rights and Procedures for Workers
All workers in Kuwait have the right to submit a grievance or complaint to their employer and to the Labour Relations Department. However, those employed in domestic services, such as chauffeurs and maids, are not covered by any specific labour code and must rely on general legal principles.
Domestic Service Employees
If domestic service employees encounter issues with their employers, they can seek assistance from non-government labour organizations, their country’s embassy, or the police.
Private Sector Employees
For those in the private sector, all labour complaints must be addressed to the Labour Relations Department of the Public Authority of Manpower. This department is responsible for reviewing and examining all labour-related complaints between employees and employers in the private sector.
Types of Disputes Handled
- Financial entitlements (e.g., non-payment or underpayment of wages)
- Sponsorship transfer
- Absconding notifications
- Travel bans
- Work-related injuries
The department also handles follow-up on collective complaints at the Reconciliation and Arbitration Committee for individual and collective cases.
Filing a Complaint: Step-by-Step Process
- Obtain a Complaint Application: Visit the reception desk of the Labour Relations Department to get a labour complaint application. You do not need a legal representative at this stage but can access this benefit later if needed.
- Fill Out the Form: Provide your full name, nationality, civil ID number, work start date, last workday, legal grounds for filing the complaint, profession, agreed wage, employer’s name, employer’s address, place of work, purpose of dispute, and phone number. You must also provide the following documents (photocopies and originals):
- Work permit
- Civil ID
- Valid and latest passport
- Other supporting documents (as requested)
- Lodging the Complaint: The department will register your complaint in their database, assign a legal investigator, and set a date for the initial hearing. Both the worker and the employer must attend this hearing.
- Investigation: The investigator will gather statements from the employer and review documentation. Both parties will appear before the investigator at the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) and Labour Relations Department in their governorate. The worker may have a legal representative at this stage. If the employer does not appear, a second notification will be issued, and the investigator will proceed with the examination.
- Hearing and Resolution: If both parties settle the matter amicably, it will be documented and filed. If no agreement is reached, the investigator will prepare a legal statement of the facts. Unsettled financial disputes will be referred to the judiciary. The investigator must review and close any complaint within a specified period (usually up to two weeks) and is liable for any unjustifiable delays.
- Final Decision: The investigator will submit a formal legal opinion to the Labour Relations Department, which will issue a final decision. Either party can appeal the decision within 15 days of its issuance.
Disclaimer
The information provided here is for informational purposes only. For specific concerns regarding your work or employer, consult the Ministry of Interior’s official website or your respective embassy in Kuwait.
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