Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower has issued a notice stating that employers are not legally permitted to make unauthorised reductions to salaries agreed in active employment contracts.
The authority said the fixed monthly salary set out in a contract must remain fully guaranteed for the entire length of the employment relationship. The rule is intended to protect employees against sudden pay cuts and arbitrary deductions by companies.
Fixed salaries protected under labour rules
The notice is part of a wider information campaign by the authorities, which said it aims to promote transparency and legal protection for working people. The authorities said they continue to act against business organisations that try to cut costs by reducing wages.
The directives also restate that no deductions may be taken from employees’ salaries by foreign or local contractors.
Limits on loan and garnishment deductions
Under the rules, deductions to repay internal loans or advances given to employees may not exceed ten percent of total net salary. No interest may be charged on such loans.
The authorities said a maximum of 25 percent of monthly pay may be deducted or garnished to meet external liabilities and court-directed financial obligations.
Alimony priority and digital salary monitoring
When two or more claims are filed at the same time for salary garnishment, the authorities said legal alimony and child support must take priority over all other creditors.
The authorities also said they use advanced digital systems to monitor workers’ salary accounts. They added that these tools, combined with strict legal accountability, are meant to close corporate loopholes and encourage employers to follow the law.
