Kuwait Domestic Worker EOSB — Indemnity Rights for Maids, Drivers and Nannies
Domestic workers are among the most vulnerable employees in Kuwait — working inside private homes, often without written contracts, and frequently unaware of their legal rights. Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 was passed specifically to address this gap. It provides formal EOSB entitlement, a mandatory notice period, and protections that many domestic workers do not know they have.
Employer not paying your EOSB or threatening to cancel your visa?
A Kuwait labour lawyer experienced with domestic worker cases can advise you — request a free consultation
Important: Domestic workers are covered by a different law
This article covers Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 — not Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010
If you work for a company, business, or government entity — you are covered by Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 instead. See the Kuwait EOSB Guide for that calculation. The two laws have different formulas and different rules.
Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 specifically covers workers employed in private households. These workers are excluded from Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 and instead receive their rights under this dedicated domestic worker legislation.
| Worker Type | Applicable Law |
|---|---|
| Housemaid employed by a family | Law No. 68 of 2015 |
| Driver employed by a household | Law No. 68 of 2015 |
| Cook, nanny, gardener (household) | Law No. 68 of 2015 |
| Driver employed by a company | Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 |
| Office cleaner (employed by company) | Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 |
| Hotel staff, restaurant workers | Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 |
Who qualifies as a domestic worker under Law 68?
Article 1 of Law No. 68 of 2015 defines domestic workers as those employed in private residences. This includes:
Housemaids and household cleaners
Cooks employed by a household
Personal drivers for a family
Nannies and childcare workers
Gardeners working in a private residence
Security guards employed directly by a household
The key test is whether the worker is employed by a private individual or family for household purposes — not by a company or commercial entity.
EOSB entitlement — how much are you owed?
Under Article 19 of Law No. 68 of 2015, a domestic worker who completes at least one year of continuous service is entitled to:
Law No. 68 of 2015 — Article 19
One month's wage × years of completed service
Minimum service required: 1 completed year with the same employer
| Monthly Wage | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KD 60 (min wage) | KD 60 | KD 180 | KD 300 | KD 600 |
| KD 100 | KD 100 | KD 300 | KD 500 | KD 1,000 |
| KD 150 | KD 150 | KD 450 | KD 750 | KD 1,500 |
| KD 200 | KD 200 | KD 600 | KD 1,000 | KD 2,000 |
Note on partial years: Law No. 68 of 2015 does not explicitly address pro-rata for partial years beyond the first. Domestic workers with partial years beyond whole years should not automatically assume they receive nothing for those months — seek legal advice specific to your situation.
How does this compare to standard Kuwait EOSB?
Standard Labour Law calculates EOSB at 15 days per year (basic × 12 ÷ 365 × 15). Domestic worker EOSB at one month per year is a more generous formula — a worker on KD 150/month for 5 years receives KD 750 under Law 68 vs approximately KD 370 under Labour Law. The GulfWise EOSB calculator is built for Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 — it does not apply to domestic workers.
Notice period — 3 months both ways
Under Article 10 of Law No. 68 of 2015, the notice period for terminating a domestic work relationship is three months — whether the employer or the worker is ending the contract.
3 months notice required — or 3 months wage in lieu
3 months notice required — or forfeiture of 3 months wage
Both parties can agree to shorter notice in writing
The notice period obligation under Law 68 is the same length as for standard Kuwait workers under Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 (Article 44). Use the Notice Period Calculator to understand notice timing, though note it is built for Labour Law — the 3-month duration applies equally for domestic workers.
Termination without cause — what you are owed
If your employer terminates you without a valid reason and without proper notice, you are entitled to both your full EOSB and compensation for the missing notice:
| Entitlement | Basis | Example (KD 150/mo, 3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Full EOSB | Art. 19 — 1 month per year | KD 450 |
| Notice compensation | Art. 10 — 3 months wages | KD 450 |
| Unpaid salary | Any wages owed | Varies |
| Accrued annual leave | Art. 17 — 30 days per year | Varies |
| Total minimum | — | KD 900 + any unpaid wages |
Does resignation affect your EOSB entitlement?
This is where domestic worker law differs from standard Kuwait Labour Law — and where caution is warranted.
Under Labour Law No. 6 of 2010, resignation reductions are explicitly stated: 50% for 3–5 years, 66.7% for 5–10 years, 100% for 10+ years. Law No. 68 of 2015 does not contain equivalent explicit reduction percentages for resignation.
Conservative interpretation — seek legal advice
Because Law 68 does not spell out resignation reductions, some employers attempt to withhold EOSB entirely on resignation. This is not clearly supported by the law. Domestic workers who resign after completing one or more years should not automatically accept zero EOSB — the entitlement under Article 19 is stated without a resignation carve-out. A Kuwait labour lawyer can advise on your specific circumstances.
Annual leave and other entitlements
Law No. 68 of 2015 also grants domestic workers additional entitlements beyond EOSB:
Article 17 — 30 days paid leave per year after completing one year
Article 14 — one full rest day per week
Article 15 — at least 9 continuous hours of rest per day
Article 18 — paid sick leave with medical certificate
Article 12 — employer must provide healthcare
Article 13 — employer must provide suitable accommodation and food
What to do if your employer is not paying your EOSB
Document everything
Gather any written contract, pay slips, bank transfer records, and WhatsApp messages confirming your employment start date and wage. Without documentation, proving your case is harder.
Request your entitlement in writing
Send a written message or letter to your employer stating your EOSB entitlement under Law No. 68 of 2015 and requesting payment of the calculated amount by a specific date.
File a MOSAL complaint
Visit the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSAL) and file a formal complaint. MOSAL can mediate between you and your employer. For domestic workers, this process can be slower than for Labour Law cases — be prepared.
Consult a Kuwait labour lawyer
Domestic worker cases are among the most legally complex in Kuwait due to the private household context. A lawyer experienced with Law No. 68 of 2015 cases is strongly recommended — especially where the employer is disputing resignation entitlement or threatening visa cancellation.
- ✓Domestic workers in Kuwait are covered by Law No. 68 of 2015 — not Labour Law No. 6 of 2010
- ✓EOSB entitlement: one month's wage per completed year of service (after 1 full year)
- ✓This is more generous than standard EOSB — do not let employers apply the wrong formula
- ✓Notice period is 3 months either side — or 3 months wages in lieu
- ✓Termination without cause = EOSB + 3 months notice compensation
- ✓Resignation reductions are not explicitly stated in Law 68 — do not automatically accept zero
- ✓If EOSB is withheld: document, request in writing, file MOSAL complaint, consult a lawyer
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Need legal help?
Employer not paying your EOSB or threatening to cancel your visa?
Domestic worker cases require a lawyer familiar with Law No. 68 of 2015. Get advice on your specific situation before accepting any settlement — or before leaving Kuwait without your entitlement.
Talk to a Lawyer on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
Are domestic workers in Kuwait entitled to EOSB?
Yes. Under Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 (the Domestic Workers Law), domestic workers are entitled to end-of-service indemnity of one month's wage for each year of completed service, after completing at least one year with the same employer. This is a separate law from Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 which covers other expat workers.
How is Kuwait domestic worker EOSB calculated?
Under Law No. 68 of 2015, the formula is: monthly wage ÷ 30 × 30 × years of service = monthly wage × years of service. In practice, the entitlement is one full month's wage per completed year of service. Unlike standard Kuwait Labour Law which uses a daily rate formula (basic × 12 ÷ 365 × 15 days), domestic worker EOSB is calculated at the monthly wage level directly.
Who counts as a domestic worker under Kuwait Law 68 of 2015?
Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 covers workers employed in private residences. This includes: housemaids, cooks, drivers, nannies/childcare workers, gardeners, and security guards employed directly by households. Workers employed by companies or commercial entities are covered by Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 instead.
Does a domestic worker get EOSB if they resign?
Law No. 68 of 2015 does not specify reduction percentages for resignation the way Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 does for standard workers. However, the employer may argue that resignation without completing contractual obligations affects entitlement. Domestic workers who resign should seek legal advice before accepting any settlement below one month per year.
What is the notice period for domestic workers in Kuwait?
Under Article 10 of Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015, both the employer and the domestic worker must give three months' notice to terminate the employment relationship. If either party terminates without notice, they must pay the equivalent of three months' wage as compensation.
What happens if a domestic worker is terminated without cause in Kuwait?
If a domestic worker is terminated without a valid reason and without notice, they are entitled to: full EOSB (one month per completed year of service), plus three months' wages as compensation in lieu of notice. The employer cannot deduct from this entitlement without valid documented grounds under Law No. 68 of 2015.
Can a domestic worker file a complaint if their employer does not pay EOSB?
Yes. Domestic workers can file a complaint with the Kuwait Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSAL). However, enforcement for domestic workers can be more difficult than for workers under Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 due to the household employment context. A Kuwait labour lawyer experienced with domestic worker cases is strongly recommended for any unpaid EOSB dispute.
Is the domestic worker EOSB formula the same as standard Kuwait EOSB?
No. Standard Kuwait Labour Law (No. 6 of 2010) calculates EOSB at 15 days per year using the formula: basic salary × 12 ÷ 365 × 15 × years. Domestic worker EOSB under Law No. 68 of 2015 is one full month's wage per year — a significantly more generous formula for workers with longer tenure.
Reviewed against Kuwait Law No. 68 of 2015 (Domestic Workers Law) — June 2026