Kuwait will reinstate full in-office work across all government entities starting May 3, marking a complete return to standard operations nationwide after a period of adjusted workforce arrangements.
The decision, issued by the Cabinet during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, directs all ministries and public agencies to resume 100% staffing levels and normal working hours, according to the Civil Service Commission.
In a statement, the commission confirmed that the move includes restoring the standard seven-hour workday, reactivating evening shifts, and suspending earlier circulars that allowed reduced staffing levels. All government entities have been instructed to comply fully with official working hour regulations and their amendments.
The return to full capacity reflects a shift toward normalised public sector operations, with authorities signalling readiness to move beyond temporary workforce adjustments introduced in response to recent regional developments.
Alongside the operational reset, the commission announced a fresh wave of public sector hiring, nominating 4,567 Kuwaiti citizens for roles across 34 government entities. The placements were made through the Central Employment System, prioritising first-time candidates and those who had not previously completed nomination procedures.
Officials said additional hiring rounds are expected in the coming months, spanning a wide range of roles for university graduates and diploma holders, as agencies finalise their staffing requirements. The commission also revealed that nomination procedures will soon begin for 250 candidates with secondary and intermediate qualifications who recently completed training programmes in collaboration with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training.
All newly nominated candidates have been instructed to report to their assigned entities starting May 3 to complete onboarding procedures within specified timelines.
The twin push, restoring full workforce attendance while accelerating public sector hiring, underscores Kuwait’s focus on strengthening government capacity and creating employment pathways for nationals, as it continues to align workforce planning with broader economic and administrative priorities.