Sick Leave in Kuwait: The Graduated Sick Pay Scale Under the Labour Law

Kuwait’s sick leave law provides employees with up to 9 months of sick leave per year under the Labour Law (Law No. 6 of 2010). The pay rate follows a graduated scale — 100% for the first 30 days, 75% for the next 60 days, 50% for the next 60 days, and 0% for the remaining period. This makes Kuwait one of the most generous sick leave systems in the Gulf region.

Key Takeaways

• Employers pay 100% of salary for the first 30 days of illness
• The rate drops to 75% for days 31–90, 50% for days 91–150, and 0% for days 151–270
• A medical certificate from a Kuwaiti health facility is required from day 1
• The maximum statutory sick leave is 9 months per year
• Sick leave cannot be combined with annual leave

Kuwait’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Kuwait’s sick leave system is governed by the Labour Law (Law No. 6 of 2010), Articles 65–69. When an employee falls ill and is certified by a doctor, the employer must pay wages according to a graduated scale over a maximum of 9 months per year.

The entitlement is one of the longest in the Gulf region. The graduated scale means the employee’s income decreases over time, providing an incentive to return to work as soon as medically feasible.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Days 1–30	100% of salary	Employer
Days 31–90	75% of salary	Employer
Days 91–150	50% of salary	Employer
Days 151–270	0% (unpaid)	Neither

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Days 1–30	100% of salary	Labour Law Art. 65
Days 31–90	75% of salary	Labour Law Art. 65
Days 91–150	50% of salary	Labour Law Art. 65
Days 151–270	Unpaid	Labour Law Art. 65
Maximum	9 months per year	Labour Law Art. 65

The salary used for calculation is the employee’s basic salary. Allowances and bonuses may not be included unless the employment contract specifies otherwise.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Kuwait requires a medical certificate from a licensed medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must be issued by a healthcare facility licensed by the Ministry of Health.

The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. For absences exceeding 7 days, the certificate must be from a government hospital.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Kuwait

Example: An employee earning KWD 800/month is off sick for 120 calendar days.

1. Days 1–30 (full pay): KWD 800
2. Days 31–90 (75%): KWD 800 × 0.75 = KWD 600
3. Days 91–120 (50%): KWD 800 × 0.50 = KWD 400

Total paid: KWD 800 + KWD 600 + KWD 400 = KWD 1,800

The employee’s normal earnings for 4 months would have been KWD 3,200, so the sick pay covers approximately 56% of normal income over the full absence.

The 9-Month Maximum

Kuwait’s 9-month maximum is one of the longest in the Gulf:

• If the employee exhausts 9 months and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment
• The employee is not entitled to any pay for days 151–270
• Unused sick days do not carry over to the next year
• The 9-month limit applies per year of service

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Kuwaiti employers must:

• Pay sick leave according to the graduated scale
• Verify the medical certificate
• Maintain records for at least 5 years after the employee leaves
• Register employees with the social insurance system
• Comply with the Ministry of Labour requirements

Non-compliance can result in fines from the Ministry of Labour and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Kuwait	270 days (9 months)	100%→75%→50%→0%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

Why is Kuwait’s sick leave so generous?

Kuwait’s Labour Law provides one of the longest sick leave periods in the Gulf region. The graduated scale balances employee protection with employer sustainability — the pay rate decreases over time, providing an incentive to return to work while ensuring income during the acute phase of illness.

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. Kuwait requires a medical certificate from the first day of illness. For the first 7 days, the certificate can be from any licensed medical practitioner. For absences exceeding 7 days, it must be from a government hospital.

What happens after the 9-month maximum?

If the employee exhausts 9 months of sick leave and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment with end-of-service benefits. The employee is not entitled to any pay for days 151–270, and the employment relationship may end at the employer’s discretion.