Kuwait will limit the number of government employees working on-site to no more than 30% starting Monday, March 2, 2026, and until further notice, as authorities respond to escalating regional tensions.
The decision was announced by the Civil Service Commission Kuwait following a meeting of the Civil Service Council on March 1. Officials said the move is aimed at safeguarding public safety while ensuring continuity of essential government services.
In a statement, His Excellency Shreeda Abdullah Al-Mousherji, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and Acting President of the Civil Service Council, said the council had decided to reduce the percentage of employees physically present at government workplaces to a maximum of 30% of the total workforce.
He said the measure would take effect from March 2 and remain in place until further notice to regulate work mechanisms within government entities in light of the current regional circumstances, ensuring operational continuity and protecting the public interest.
Under the directive, each government entity will determine the appropriate percentage of on-site staff within the 30% cap, based on operational needs and the nature of its work. Any request to exceed this threshold will require coordination with the Civil Service Commission.
Authorities also permitted entities to implement weekly staff rotation systems, require certain employees to work the full week without rotation depending on operational requirements, or allow remote work arrangements. The period during which an employee is exempted from on-site duties will be considered an actual service period.
The decision further stipulates that attendance and departure must be recorded through fingerprint verification. Evening working hours have been suspended, although existing shift-based (rota) systems will remain unaffected.
Entities and agencies with special work requirements will determine their own work mechanisms in coordination with relevant authorities, taking into account the public interest.
The Civil Service Commission has been tasked with issuing detailed instructions to implement the decision.
The move comes as regional tensions intensify following military strikes and retaliatory actions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising concerns over a broader confrontation in the Middle East. Several countries across the region have adopted precautionary measures to safeguard public safety and maintain continuity of essential services.