What is Al-Durra? Kuwait domestic worker recruitment explained

Al-Durra is Kuwait's government-owned domestic-worker recruitment company, established under Law No. 69 of 2015 and launched in 2016. It operates alongside licensed private recruitment offices, all overseen by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) under Domestic Workers Law No. 68 of 2015.

The two routes to hiring legally

Kuwait gives families two legal channels to hire a domestic worker, both regulated by PAM:

Al-Durra National Recruitment Company — the state-owned recruiter, created by Law No. 69 of 2015 and launched in 2016, offering a regulated, fixed-fee government route.
Licensed private recruitment offices — privately run offices (the majority concentrated in Hawally) that must hold a PAM licence under Law No. 68 of 2015 and follow the approved fee schedule.

Who is PAM?

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is Kuwait's labour authority, established under Law No. 109 of 2013. Responsibility for domestic workers was consolidated under PAM, and its Domestic Workers Recruitment Department now licenses offices, approves the standard recruitment contract, runs inspections, and receives complaints under Law No. 68 of 2015 and its executive regulations (Ministerial Resolution No. 22 of 2022).

Wages, contract, and worker rights

Standard contract. All workers must be hired on the PAM-approved standard contract; payments should be recorded via official receipts, K-Net, or bank transfer.
Minimum wage. The legal basic minimum is KWD 60/month; market rates are typically KWD 90–130 depending on nationality and experience.
End-of-service. Under Article 23 of Law No. 68 of 2015, a worker is entitled to one month's salary per year of service on completion.
6-month guarantee. If the worker leaves within six months, coordinate immediately with PAM's Domestic Workers Recruitment Department to preserve refund/replacement eligibility.
Other protections. The law sets duties on offices and employers, including documentation, repatriation responsibilities, and consent before assigning duties outside Kuwait.

How to verify an office before you pay

Ask for the office's PAM licence number and commercial registration.
Confirm it via manpower.gov.kw or the Sahel app.
Insist on the PAM standard contract and official receipts.
Consider the Al-Durra government route for a fully state-backed option.

Warning sign: Never pay cash to a personal account. An office without a verifiable PAM licence or a K-Net payment device is operating outside the regulations.

How Kuwait compares

Kuwait's model resembles a mix of its neighbours: a government recruiter (Al-Durra) plus PAM-licensed private offices. The UAE uses Tadbeer centres, Saudi Arabia uses the Musaned platform, and Bahrain's market is run by the LMRA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Al-Durra in Kuwait?

Al-Durra (the National Recruitment Company) is Kuwait's government-owned company for recruiting domestic workers, set up under Law No. 69 of 2015 and launched in 2016. It offers a state-backed, fixed-fee alternative to private recruitment offices and is increasingly the channel the government promotes.

Who regulates domestic workers in Kuwait?

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), through its Domestic Workers Recruitment Department, regulates the sector under Domestic Workers Law No. 68 of 2015 and its executive regulations (Ministerial Resolution No. 22 of 2022). PAM licenses recruitment offices, approves the standard contract, and handles inspections and complaints.

What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in Kuwait?

The legal minimum basic wage under Law No. 68 of 2015 is KWD 60 per month. In practice, market salaries are higher — typically KWD 90–130 depending on nationality and experience, with Filipino workers usually at the upper end.

What is the 6-month guarantee?

If a domestic worker leaves during the first six months, the employer should immediately coordinate with PAM's Domestic Workers Recruitment Department to preserve eligibility for a refund or replacement under the recruitment office's obligations. Keep official receipts and the signed standard contract.

How do I verify a Kuwait recruitment office?

Ask the office for its PAM licence and commercial registration, and confirm them through PAM's official channels — manpower.gov.kw or the Sahel government app. Pay only through official receipts, K-Net, or bank transfer; never cash to a personal account.

Are workers entitled to end-of-service pay?

Yes. Under Article 23 of Law No. 68 of 2015, a domestic worker is entitled to an end-of-service indemnity of one month's salary for each year of service on contract completion.