Kuwait has announced a nationwide ban on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day as part of new steps to protect workers from extreme summer temperatures.
The Public Authority for Manpower confirmed that the restriction will be enforced every year from 1 June to 31 August. During this period, workers will not be allowed to work in open areas between 11am and 4pm.
The decision is part of Ministerial Resolution No. 3 of 2026 and comes amid rising concerns about worker safety due to increasingly harsh weather conditions across the region.
Officials said the rule is aimed at protecting workers’ health and reducing the dangers linked to long exposure to intense heat and humidity.
Rabab Al-Osaimi, Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, said the authority can change the timing and duration of the restriction if weather conditions become more severe or if other environmental risks appear.
The measures may also be applied during difficult conditions such as dust storms, heavy rain, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or very high humidity levels.
Some emergency and technical work will be exempt from the ban if employers get prior approval from the Labour Inspection Department and fully follow health and safety rules. These exemptions include urgent maintenance work and services connected to essential infrastructure.
Employers will also be required to provide shaded rest areas, cold drinking water, first aid equipment, and proper breaks for workers exposed to high temperatures.
Authorities warned that companies failing to follow the rules could face legal action, adding that the move is intended to create a safer and more sustainable working environment across Kuwait.
