The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) in Kuwait has introduced new temporary regulations to control workplace attendance in light of escalating regional tensions. This decision aims to safeguard employees while ensuring that essential services continue without disruption. The announcement was formalized through Administrative Circular No. 5/2026, which builds upon earlier directives issued by Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission (CSC) under Circular No. 4/2026.
Under the new guidelines, only 30 percent of the total workforce will be physically present at the workplace at any given time until further notice. This significant reduction in on-site staff is designed to minimize potential risks to employees amid the current geopolitical situation. The authority has adopted a rotation system to manage this reduced attendance, dividing employees into three distinct groups. Each group is scheduled to work one day followed by two days off, ensuring that no more than 30 percent of personnel are present on any single day.
To maintain smooth operations, department heads have been granted the flexibility to arrange work schedules in a manner that best suits their teams while keeping the workflow uninterrupted. While department directors are expected to be present at the office every day, supervisors and section heads will adhere to the rotating attendance system. Employees who are part of shift-based roles will continue to follow their pre-approved shift schedules without alteration.
Attendance monitoring will be conducted through the established fingerprint scanning system, and importantly, the days when employees are exempt from physical attendance will still be considered official working days. This approach ensures that staff members do not face any loss of pay or benefits during this period of adjusted work arrangements. Furthermore, this new circular officially nullifies the previous Administrative Circular No. 4/2026, which was issued earlier this month, thereby streamlining the attendance policies under the current circumstances.
This move by the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition reflects a broader trend among government bodies in Kuwait to adapt workplace protocols in response to ongoing regional instability. By implementing these measures, the authority aims to balance the dual priorities of employee safety and the uninterrupted delivery of critical services. It remains to be seen how long these temporary arrangements will stay in place, but they underscore the government’s proactive stance in managing the impact of external challenges on public sector operations.
