Latest news with #Kuwaiti
Arab Times
10 hours ago
- Arab Times
Pilgrims Depart In Peace As Kuwait Executes Flawless Hajj Plan
KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Hajj season officially commenced this morning as the first groups of Kuwaiti pilgrims departed from Kuwait International Airport through Terminals 1 and 4, bound for the Holy Land. The spiritual journey began with a sense of serenity and efficiency, reflecting months of careful planning and coordination by relevant authorities. Kuwait Airways and Saudi Airlines operated the initial flights, carrying approximately 200 pilgrims on each, with the first Kuwait Airways flight from Terminal 4 heading to Jeddah. The departure lounges were filled with an atmosphere of devotion, as families bid emotional farewells to their loved ones embarking on this sacred journey. In a statement by Mansour Al-Hashemi, Director of Operations at Kuwait Airport under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), it was confirmed that two flights took off this morning, marking the beginning of Hajj pilgrimage operations. A total of 36 flights are scheduled to depart by the end of Monday, transporting nearly 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Al-Hashemi outlined the DGCA's extensive preparations, which include deploying field teams from the Operations Department in coordination with the Ministries of Awqaf, Health, and Interior, as well as Customs and ground service providers. These teams are tasked with guiding and assisting pilgrims throughout the departure process. To streamline the experience, authorities have implemented several measures: special counters have been designated for pilgrims, boarding passes are being distributed in advance or upon arrival at the airport, and customs procedures have been expedited to avoid delays and congestion. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has also set up dedicated booths in the departure halls to distribute informational brochures, educating pilgrims on the rituals of Hajj and ensuring they are well-prepared for the spiritual experience. Pilgrims interviewed by Al-Seyassah expressed appreciation for the smooth and highly organized procedures, praising the high standards of care and planning. The efforts by all involved agencies aim to ensure that the "Guests of God" begin their journey with comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
Time Business News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Planning Your Exit: How to Maximize End of Service Benefits
Whether you're wrapping up a successful job stint or preparing for a career move, planning your exit from Kuwait as an expatriate employee should begin with one key focus: your End of Service Benefits (EOSB). This is more than a final paycheck — it can serve as a launchpad for your next opportunity, savings boost, or emergency cushion. In this guide, we'll show you how to maximize your EOSB payout, protect your rights, and use the most reliable tools from to avoid mistakes during your final months in Kuwait. For many expats in Kuwait, end of service indemnity is the most significant lump-sum payment they'll receive during their time in the Gulf. Depending on your salary and years of service, the amount can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of Kuwaiti Dinars. Yet too many leave the country: Without claiming what they're owed Accepting lower amounts than they deserve Missing out on legal recourse due to lack of awareness If you're reading this in advance of your exit, you're already ahead. End of Service Benefits are legally mandated payments owed to employees after their employment, based on: Type of contract (limited or unlimited) Reason for separation (resignation or termination) Years of service Basic salary (excluding bonuses and allowances) The framework is defined under Kuwait's Labor Law No. 6/2010 and applies to all private sector employees, including expatriates. Here's a simple breakdown for monthly-paid employees: Duration of Service Resignation Termination/Contract End < 3 years Not eligible 15 days' pay/year 3–5 years 50% EOSB Full 15 days/year 5–10 years 2/3 EOSB Full 1 month/year 10+ years Full EOSB 1.5 months/year (max cap) To get an exact figure based on your salary and service period, use the free and official indemnity calculator Kuwait from — the most reliable tool for expatriates in 2025. Don't wait until HR gives you a number. Use the indemnity calculator Kuwait ahead of time to estimate your payout based on: Final basic salary Length of service Reason for leaving Ensure you have: A copy of your employment contract Payslips or salary bank statements Valid civil ID and work permit copy These documents will be essential if you need to file a complaint or dispute an amount. Once you receive your EOSB, decide: Will you transfer it home? (Check remittance fees) Invest in property, business, or savings? Keep funds for relocation or travel? Use this time to consult with financial advisors or trusted contacts before leaving Kuwait. Accepting Verbal Promises Only written, signed documents matter. Never rely on verbal assurance of EOSB. Signing Under Pressure If your employer gives you a lower figure and asks you to sign immediately, pause. Cross-check using calculator. Leaving Without Closing Accounts You may need an active bank account in Kuwait to receive your EOSB. Don't cancel it until you've been paid. Overlooking Residency Renewal If your visa expires before you settle your EOSB, you could be fined or lose leverage. Plan your exit timeline carefully. If your employer refuses to pay your EOSB or offers a lower amount than entitled, take these steps: Contact the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Submit a labor complaint with copies of your contract and salary slips Seek support through the Labor Disputes Committee Employers that delay or deny EOSB can be fined or banned from future hiring. If you're changing jobs instead of leaving Kuwait: Your current employer must settle your EOSB before transferring your sponsorship before transferring your sponsorship Do not accept partial payment or delayed promises Also, ensure your residency and driving license stay valid during this transition. If you plan to drive legally under your new employer, check out this updated kuwait driving license renewal guide from to avoid violations. Mohamed, an Indian engineer, worked for 9 years with a private construction firm earning KD 500 monthly. Upon resignation: He used the indemnity calculator Kuwait to estimate KD 3,750 HR initially offered KD 2,200 He filed a complaint through PAM and received the full amount within 4 weeks This shows how preparation and access to the right tools can safeguard your hard-earned benefits. Q1: Is EOSB applicable to part-time workers? No, only full-time employees under labor contracts are eligible. Q2: Are EOSB payments taxed in Kuwait? No, Kuwait does not impose income taxes on individuals. Q3: Can my employer delay payment until I leave the country? No, EOSB must be paid within 7 working days after your final day. Q4: Does EOSB include allowances or only basic salary? Only your basic salary is used for calculation, excluding housing, transport, or other allowances. Q5: Can I calculate EOSB in advance? Absolutely. Use official calculator for accurate results. Your End of Service Benefits in Kuwait represent more than just a final payment — they reflect the years you've invested in building your career abroad. Whether you're heading home, relocating to another Gulf country, or starting a business, that money can empower your next chapter. Maximize your EOSB by: Understanding your rights Using the indemnity calculator Kuwait Keeping your documentation in order Following legal procedures if disputes arise And if you're planning to stay and drive legally in Kuwait, make sure your kuwait driving license is current. For ongoing guidance, tools, and expat-friendly resources, rely on — your trusted platform for life in Kuwait. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Gulf Insider
15 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Pensioner Arrested Over Fraud In Kuwait
Kuwaiti police have arrested a pensioner accused of defrauding several people of money after he duped themselves into believing he has strong connections. The suspect was arrested inside a resthouse in the Kabd area near Kuwait's Capital Governorate after he had deliberately altered his facial features by growing a beard and wearing glasses, Al Anba newspaper reported. The case surfaced after several Kuwaiti citizens had filed reports to police, claiming they had met a man in his fifties, who had tricked them into believing he could finalise complicated transactions for them due to his purported connections, the report quoted a security source as saying. The claimants said the suspect accompanied them to a government institution where he shook hands with the employees in a sign of familiarity. Having allegedly fleeced them of a total of KD90,000 (about $293,215), the complainants added that the suspect had later eluded fulfilling his commitments and eventually turned off his phone. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to having been used to fraud and would take his victims to his former workplace, the source added. After deceiving the victims with his connections, he would ask them to rest before he entered the offices of the officials. He would later inform the victims that their affairs would be seen to and receive sums of money from them in exchange for allegedly completing their transactions.
Gulf Insider
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Kuwaiti Teacher And Officials Jailed For Leaking Exam Papers On Social Media
A Kuwaiti teacher and two education officials have been sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour for their roles in leaking high school examination papers through social media. The Misdemeanour Appeals Court this week upheld a lower court's ruling against the three defendants, a former head of the Ministry of Education's secret printing press, a female staff member, and a teacher, following charges of disclosing confidential government information. The convictions followed an intensive investigation led by Kuwait's Public Prosecution, in coordination with the Ministries of Interior and Education, after a series of exam leaks were discovered circulating on social platforms such as WhatsApp, sometimes sold for varying prices. Authorities found that the operation was not isolated. Investigators uncovered a network involving intermediaries, including minors, who acted as conduits for distributing the leaked exams.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Authorities make disturbing discovery after raiding hundreds of homes driving up utility bills: 'Posing a direct threat to public safety'
Kuwaiti authorities have begun to crack down on unauthorized crypto mining, and a recent raid in the southern Al-Wafrah region led to a 55% drop in local power use within a week, according to Reuters. The enforcement efforts come as the oil-rich nation faces mounting blackouts and extreme pressure on its electrical grid. While crypto trading itself is banned in Kuwait, mining has not been explicitly outlawed, per the report. This is a loophole that miners exploited. Officials say they raided nearly 100 homes under suspicion of mining crypto, and some were using more than 20 times the energy of a typical Kuwaiti household. The country's worsening energy crisis is driven by rapid population growth, rising temperatures, and delayed maintenance at power plants, per Reuters. With summer heat spiking demand for cooling systems, authorities say crypto mining is pushing the grid to its limits. "It only takes a very small share of the total bitcoin mining network to have a significant impact on the relatively small total electricity consumption of Kuwait," Digiconomist founder Alex de Vries-Gai told Reuters. Kuwait's interior ministry said crypto mining constitutes an "unlawful exploitation of electrical power" that "may cause outages affecting residential, commercial and service areas, posing a direct threat to public safety." The environmental cost of crypto can also be steep. A single Bitcoin transaction uses more than 1,189 kilowatt-hours of electricity — about as much as the average U.S. household in 41 days, according to Digiconomist. Globally, over 65% of crypto mining runs on dirty fuels, according to U.N. researchers. While cleaner sources may make up more of the energy mix since the time of the 2023 report, it is clear that crypto is adding significant volumes of heat-trapping pollution into the atmosphere and worsening air quality as a result. Even when power comes from renewables, the grid can experience strain if there's not enough generated to support energy-intensive operations. Because of this, some companies are focused on developing cryptocurrencies that require less power. Online internet users supported the crackdown in Kuwait. "Finally — a sane decision," one Reddit commenter wrote. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
