The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has recently announced - Opens in new tab that domestic workers will be able to transfer their sponsorship to private sector employers under certain conditions. This decision will be effective from 14 July 2024 until 12 September 2024.
According to PAM, domestic workers can transfer to the private sector under the following conditions:
- Approval from the current sponsor under whom the domestic worker is registered.
- The domestic worker must have resided with the current employer for a minimum of one year.
- Payment of a transfer fee of KD 50 (US$ 163), plus an additional fee of KD 10 (US$ 33) for each year of service.
Generally, domestic workers are permitted to change jobs only within the domestic sector and under the domestic work visa, known as Article 20 or Visa 20.
According - Opens in new tab to Kuwaiti observers - Opens in new tab, the decision comes as many domestic workers, especially those who have been reported as absconded, are employed in the private sector and this decision aims to assist these workers in regularising their status. However, the requirement for the original sponsor's consent will likely hinder this process, as current sponsors are unlikely to provide such consent.
According to the latest data from Kuwait’s Central Statistical Bureau - Opens in new tab, there were 786,086 migrant domestic workers in 2023, accounting for more than a quarter of all migrants in Kuwait. Female domestic workers made up 53.7% of the total domestic workforce, while male domestic workers comprised 46.3%.
