Kuwait plans to crack down on public sector absenteeism by linking attendance to bonuses
KUWAIT: Kuwait's Cabinet has directed the Civil Service Commission to establish a new accountability mechanism for unexcused absences in ministries and government entities. The move comes after several government departments reported low attendance rates on the first day back from the Eid holiday, with some offices seeing less than 60 percent of employees return to work. The new system, according to a Cabinet statement, is intended to curb a recurring pattern of absenteeism—particularly on days adjacent to public holidays—and to ensure greater discipline and efficiency across the public sector. The Cabinet has given the Civil Service Commission two weeks to develop a framework linking unexcused absences directly to key areas of employee evaluation, including annual performance reviews, eligibility for excellence bonuses, and promotions. The directive follows growing frustration over what some describe as routine manipulation of leave policies, including the use of sick days to extend holiday breaks—often at the expense of citizens waiting for government transactions.
Attendance lags post-Eid
ublic sector absenteeism has long plagued Kuwait's government offices, drawing criticism from lawmakers and citizens alike. Despite repeated warnings from the Civil Service Commission, the issue tends to spike around public holidays. The impact of post-holiday absenteeism was evident this week. The Ministry of Social Affairs reported just 50 percent employee attendance on the first official workday following Eid. Public Relations Director Fatima Al-Salama said in a statement the ministry was working to restore full operational capacity gradually while ensuring continuity of essential services. 'Administrative leadership is closely monitoring attendance to ensure employees return to their posts in line with established protocols,' she stated. According to Al-Jarida, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy fared better, recording a 75 percent return rate. With more than 37,000 employees across the country, officials said the ministry's operations had resumed without major disruptions. At the Ministry of Public Works, attendance reached 76 percent. — Agencies
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