There is no legal minimum wagein the private sector. An informal two-tiered labor marketensures high wages for Kuwaiti nationals, most of who arein government white collar or executive positions, while foreignworkers, even those in skilled positions, receive substantiallylower wages. Recently a visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Ministerreported that the Bangladeshi domestic workers earn as littleas 20 KD (1 KD = 200 IRS Approx.) per month. There is no legalminimum wage in the country. Non citizens do not receive thesame social benefits as citizens and must pay fees for educationand health care, which are provided free for all citizens.Private sector wages range from as much 2,500 to 3,000 dinarseach month for top managers of large companies to between200 to 300 dinars for other skilled professionals and no skilledworkers. The public sector minimum wage provides a decentstandard of living for a worker and family. Wages of unskilledworkers in the private sector do not always provide a decentstandard of living, with housemaids often making less than40 dinars per month. To be eligible to sponsor family membersfor residency, government and private sector workers mustreceive a minimum wage of 400 dinars per month.
Employers often exploit workers' willingness to accept substandardconditions. Some foreign workers, especially unskilled orsemiskilled South Asian workers, live and work much like indenturedservants, are unaware of their legal rights, and generallylack the means to pursue a legal remedy. They frequently facecontractual disputes and poor working conditions, and mayface physical and sexual abuse. Most are in debt to theiremployers before they arrive in the country and have littlechoice but to accept the employer's conditions, even if theybreach the contractual terms. It is not uncommon for wagesto be withheld for a period of months, or to be decreasedsubstantially. Many foreign workers are forced to live in"housing camps," which generally are overcrowdedand lack adequate cooking and bathroom facilities. Workersare housed 10 or more to a room in squalid conditions, manywithout access to adequate running water. The workers areonly allowed off the camp compound on company transport orby permission of the employer. Foreign workers' ability tochange their employment is limited, and, in some cases, employers'possession of foreign workers' passports allows them to exercisecontrol over such employees. Many foreign workers go heavilyinto debt and cannot afford to return home.
Cost of living
You can definitely sock awayseveral thousand a year living prudently - not frugally. Costof living is not unreasonable
Kuwait laws do not allow expatriates to buy house or otherproperties. Monthly rent for a single bed room flat with ahall and kitchen is about 250 to 300 KD depending on the locality.a two bed room flat with a hall and kitchen will be around300 to 400 KD. There are many Indian families living in ashared apartment which means two families together will buya two bedroom flat for rent. This is more economical expectfor top managers and other such professionals. Bachelor canshare a room/apartment with other 3-4 bachelors for a monthlyrent of 75-100 KD per person. There are many Indian messeswhere bachelors can stay with food for a monthly rent of KD50 - 60 with 2-3 people in a room. Usually for a single personthe monthly food expense will come around 50 - 75 KD.
Transporting
Most people have a car, especiallywomen. However, to get a driving license the required minimumsalary is KD 600. You can get a good second hand car for acost of around 2500 - 3000 KD. Most of the people depend entirelyon public transport. However, buses don't run on schedule,and are used largely by the laboring class, workers from Egypt,Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Taxis get a bit expensiveif you try to use them everyday. Minimum fare is 1kd. Youcan make arrangements with a private driver to take you toand from work on a daily basis for a flat fee of around 40KDa month (depend on the location and distance).
For a single bachelor,in this current salary scenario, if you are getting a salaryof around 300 KD, your monthly spending will be as follows:
Room rent: 100.000 (Sharing with other bachelors)
Food : 50.000 KD
Transport : 40.000 KD
Other expenses : 20.000 KD
If you are with your family, the minimum recommended salaryrange is 750 KD.
This is onlya rough data and the exact expense is totally individual.
As therules are changing very often, please check with theofficials for latest rules and procedures.
