Kuwait has introduced a new seven-hour workday for employees in private schools, following the adoption of a revised mechanism by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) aimed at improving the working environment and ensuring stability across the country’s education system.
The decision — approved by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yusuf Al-Sabah — is designed to create a more efficient, well-regulated, and employee-focused work structure within Kuwait’s private education sector.
The Public Authority for Manpower confirmed that the new rule sets the duration of work at seven actual working hours per day, without breaks.
Private schools in Kuwait
The Private Schools Union of Kuwait (PSUK) proposed the mechanism, and PAM’s relevant departments approved it after conducting a comprehensive study.
That study examined the nature of work in educational institutions, noting that schools operate differently from other sectors due to the continuous presence required from both teaching and administrative staff to maintain organisation and continuity throughout the school day.
The Authority stated that the decision is based on Article (65) of the Labour Law, which defines daily working hours and clarifies that the total must not fall below the legal minimum.
Kuwait labour laws
The seven-hour schedule is compliant with Article (65), Paragraph (b) of Labour Law No. (6) of 2010, which allows consecutive work hours without a break for technical or organisational reasons specific to the education sector.
The Public Authority for Manpower said the new system marks a significant step in improving the efficiency, flexibility, and regulation of private schools.
The new rule aims to protect employees’ rights, enhance wellbeing, and support the overall quality of education in the private sector.
According to the Authority, this initiative aligns with the government’s broader efforts to modernise labour practices and strengthen Kuwait’s human capital framework across key economic sectors.
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