At a glance
| Country | Law | End-of-service rule |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | Law No. 68 of 2015 | One month’s wage for each year of service |
| Qatar | Law No. 15 of 2017 | At least three weeks’ wage per year, after one year |
| Bahrain | Labour Law 36/2012, Article 116 | Half a month per year for 3 years, then one month per year |
| Saudi Arabia | Domestic Workers Regulation (1445H) | One month’s wage after four consecutive years |
| Oman | Ministerial Decision 574/2025 | Half a month per year, once service reaches two years |
| UAE | Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 | Left to a Cabinet resolution – check the contract |
Who counts as a domestic worker? Generally housemaids, nannies, cooks, private drivers, gardeners, guards at a private home and similar roles employed by a household rather than a company.
Kuwait
Law No. 68 of 2015 on domestic workers gives one month’s wage for each year of work at the end of the contract. Officials have indicated the law is not retroactive, so service before it came into force may be treated differently. Complaints go to the Domestic Labour Department at the Public Authority for Manpower.
Daily wage: KWD 4.000 (monthly ÷ 30)
- 4 yrs × 30 days/yrKWD 480.000
- Estimated entitlementKWD 480.000
Qatar
Under Law No. 15 of 2017, a domestic worker who has completed at least one year of service is entitled to an end-of-service benefit agreed between the parties, which cannot be less than three weeks’ wage for each year. Part years are paid in proportion. Contract claims may lapse one year after the contract ends.
Daily wage: QAR 50.00 (monthly ÷ 30)
- 3 yrs × 21 days/yrQAR 3,150.00
- Estimated entitlementQAR 3,150.00
Bahrain
Bahrain applies part of its Labour Law to domestic workers, including the end-of-service rule in Article 116: half a month’s wage for each of the first three years and a month’s wage for each year after that.
Daily wage: BHD 3.333 (monthly ÷ 30)
- 3 yrs × 15 days/yrBHD 150.000
- 5 yrs × 30 days/yrBHD 500.000
- Estimated entitlementBHD 650.000
Saudi Arabia
The Domestic Workers Regulation gives a domestic worker who has spent four consecutive years with the same employer an end-of-service award of one month’s wage, with part years in proportion. Our calculator applies the common reading – one month per four years, with extra time paid pro rata after four years. Under four years, there is no statutory award unless the contract provides one.
Daily wage: SAR 66.67 (monthly ÷ 30)
- 6 yrs × 7.5 days/yrSAR 3,000.00
- Estimated entitlementSAR 3,000.00
Oman
Since the 2025 regulation, a domestic worker whose total service is at least two years is entitled to half a month’s wage for each year. If the worker moves to another employer in Oman, dues must be settled within five days; if the worker leaves Oman permanently, within three days.
Daily wage: OMR 5.000 (monthly ÷ 30)
- 3 yrs × 15 days/yrOMR 225.000
- Estimated entitlementOMR 225.000
United Arab Emirates
The repealed Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 gave domestic workers 14 days’ basic wage for each year. Its replacement, Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022, leaves end-of-service benefits to be regulated by a Cabinet resolution in Article 22, rather than fixing an amount. Any gratuity agreed in the contract is still binding, and the employer must settle the worker’s dues within 10 days of the contract ending.
Practical advice for workers and employers
- Write the end-of-service terms clearly in the contract – including the rate per year.
- Keep a record of the start date, salary changes and any unpaid leave.
- Settle end-of-service and other dues before the worker’s residency is cancelled or transferred.
- If there is a dispute, contact the domestic labour department or ministry in that country.
Questions
Which GCC country gives domestic workers the most end-of-service?
Per year of service, Kuwait’s one month per year is the highest statutory rate. Bahrain reaches one month per year after the third year.
Is a private driver a domestic worker?
Yes. Drivers employed by a household are normally covered by the domestic worker rules.