A Guide to Kuwait’s Public Holidays and What They Mean for Employees

Category: Legal & HR | Reading Time: 5 min

Public holidays in Kuwait are a mix of Islamic observances and national occasions, and understanding when they fall — and what your entitlements are during these periods — is important for employees in both the public and private sectors.

National Public Holidays

Kuwait observes several fixed national holidays each year. National Day, celebrated on 25 February, marks the country’s declaration of independence in 1961. Liberation Day, observed on 26 February, commemorates Kuwait’s liberation from Iraqi occupation in 1991. New Year’s Day on 1 January is also a public holiday, though it is observed with less fanfare than the national occasions.

Islamic Holidays

Islamic public holidays in Kuwait are based on the lunar Hijri calendar and therefore shift slightly each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. Key Islamic holidays observed in Kuwait include Eid Al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (marking the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage), the Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Al-Nabi), the Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), and Isra and Mi’raj. The exact dates are confirmed by the relevant religious authorities each year.

Ramadan Working Arrangements

During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours across both the public and private sectors are reduced by two hours per day, resulting in a maximum working week of 36 hours regardless of the employee’s religion. Many businesses adjust their opening and closing times significantly during Ramadan, and the pace of business slows noticeably, particularly during daylight hours.

Public Holiday Pay

Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to additional compensation. Under Kuwait’s Labour Law, working on a public holiday must be compensated at a rate of at least 150% of the employee’s normal daily rate, in addition to the standard public holiday entitlement. Always check your employment contract for the specific provisions that apply to your role.

Planning Around Kuwait’s Holiday Calendar

For professionals managing projects or business relationships that span Kuwait and international markets, it is worth planning well in advance around Kuwait’s holiday periods. Business decisions and approvals can slow significantly in the days surrounding public holidays, particularly around Eid, when many people take extended leave. Building extra lead time into deadlines during these periods is good practice.

— Published on MonyaQ8.com | monyaq8.com/blogs