Kuwait is stepping up efforts to strengthen labor market reforms through enhanced protection of workers’ rights, closer cooperation with international organizations, and expanded initiatives to increase the participation of Kuwaiti nationals in the workforce.
As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by its Human Rights Affairs Department, held a joint coordination meeting on Monday with the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) and the Public Prosecution, alongside representatives of relevant United Nations agencies, to discuss mechanisms for enhancing cooperation in protecting workers’ rights and promoting decent work.
The meeting marked the first time Kuwait’s key labor-related authorities have convened with UN agencies operating in the country that focus on labor issues and combating human trafficking, establishing a new framework for institutional coordination and long-term strategic partnership.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah said the meeting reflects Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the United Nations and developing joint mechanisms to support worker protection, combat human trafficking, and build national capacities in line with international obligations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Kuwaitization Supports Job Stability
Separately, Abdullah Al-Muhaini, Job Opportunities Supervisor at the National Employment Development Department of the Public Authority for Manpower, said Kuwaitization regulations governing government contracts have helped improve job security for Kuwaiti employees.
Speaking on Kuwait TV’s “Pulse of the Street” program, Al-Muhaini explained that Kuwaiti employees working on government contracts that expire are transferred to new contracts while maintaining or improving their salaries, ensuring continuity of employment.
He said the policy primarily targets ongoing contracts in the operation, maintenance, and management sectors to prevent interruptions in employment.
Al-Muhaini also highlighted the role of the “Our Pride” (Fakhrna) employment platform in connecting Kuwaiti job seekers with opportunities in the private sector.
He said the private sector now offers stable employment opportunities and promising career development, urging job seekers to move beyond the traditional perception that long-term job security exists only in the public sector.
The latest initiatives reflect Kuwait’s broader strategy to modernize its labor market, strengthen worker protections, promote decent work standards, and create sustainable employment opportunities for national talent while expanding international cooperation on labor issues.
