Changes aim to link pay and promotions to performance, introduce structured evaluation system
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Civil Service Council has approved proposed amendments to the Civil Service Law, which governs employment, salaries and promotions in the country’s public sector. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shareeda Al-Maousherji, Acting Head of the Civil Service Council, said the changes, approved on January 19, will link employee benefits – including allowances, bonuses and other rewards – to measured performance. “The amendments also aim to improve administrative accountability, unify employment policies and develop performance evaluation systems using automated tools and integrated databases,” Al-Maousherji said.
The council has referred the proposals to the Department of Fatwa and Legislation to draft a decree-law amending the 1979 Civil Service Law. The draft will then be reviewed by the Cabinet’s legal committee before being submitted to Cabinet for final approval.
The reforms follow a review by the Supreme Judicial Council in late December. The council submitted a report to Justice Minister Nasser Al-Sumait highlighting gaps in the law and recommending updates to reflect advances in digital administration, governance standards and public service management practices.
The Supreme Judicial Council tasked the Court of Cassation, its members, and the technical office with collecting proposals from judges – particularly in administrative courts – and the Public Prosecution to ensure the amendments address current administrative needs.
Kuwait’s civil service has faced repeated criticism for operational inefficiencies. Observers have pointed to poorly coordinated workforce planning, unclear promotion and retirement mechanisms and hiring practices influenced by political considerations rather than administrative needs. Critics have also highlighted a disconnect between education outputs and labor market demand. The new amendments could address some of these issues by introducing structured evaluation systems and improving administrative accountability. Details about the proposed amendments have not been shared publicly.
The Civil Service Law, enacted as Law No 15 of 1979, establishes the legal framework for Kuwait’s public sector, including employee rights and obligations, disciplinary measures, financial entitlements and the role of the Civil Service Council, which sets policies for salaries, recruitment and promotions. The policies are enacted by the Civil Service Commission. — Agencies
