Kuwait has announced special relief for government employees currently stranded abroad due to regional airspace closures and travel disruptions. The authority confirmed that affected public sector workers will be exempt from work duties during their absence and that time spent abroad will be counted as official working time until they are able to return.The decision was announced on Sunday by the Kuwait Civil Service Commission (CSC), which said the measure was taken to address the situation of employees who are unable to return to Kuwait due to special circumstances in the region. In a statement shared on social media platformThe committee said the time an employee spends outside Kuwait will be considered actual working time. This arrangement will remain in place until they are able to return to the country, either after airspace reopens or through other available travel options.The Civil Service Commission said it has coordinated with government ministries, public authorities and other state agencies to resolve the issue and ensure affected employees are protected by the decision. The move ensures that public sector workers do not face administrative consequences due to circumstances beyond their control while travel routes remain disrupted.The committee also clarified how the exemption would be applied. The exemption period will be determined after the official end of the authorized leave or leave during which the employee is scheduled to return to Kuwait. The employee’s immediate supervisor or higher-level management will review the situation and refer the case to the appropriate administrative department for further processing.Employees who want their absence to be considered official working time must submit documentation proving that they are not in Kuwait during the travel disruption. This evidence will enable the relevant authorities to verify the situation and ensure that the exemption is correctly recorded in the government’s automated management system according to established procedures.The measure comes as travel in parts of the region has been affected by airspace closures and wider security developments, leaving some travelers temporarily unable to return to their home countries. Kuwait’s Civil Service Commission said the decision was aimed at ensuring government employees affected by these disruptions are supported until normal travel routes resume and they are able to return to the country.
