Ministry of Labour: Mandate covering tattoos and banning sportswear during work
Press coverage 2 newspapers covered this event: Al-Anba · Al-Jarida →
The Public Authority for Manpower issued Circular No. 16 of 2026 regarding professional dress and appearance regulations, banning sportswear and requiring tattoos to be covered, starting November 1.
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Kuwait officials: The Public Authority for Manpower issued Circular No. 16 of 2026 regarding the regulations governing professional attire and appearance for its employees, as part of its commitment to strengthening institutional identity and reinforcing a professional image before the public. The circular took effect on November 1 of this year.
The Authority specified a number of regulations, the most prominent of which include maintaining a decent, clean, and well-groomed appearance; choosing subdued colors; avoiding eye-catching clothing or garments bearing inappropriate slogans; prohibiting sportswear or torn clothes; avoiding excessive accessories; and covering tattoos during work hours.
It emphasized the necessity of visibly wearing the official identification badge throughout working hours. It also specified the approved attire for employees as the official national dress or formal clothing, and for female employees as a modest official uniform in subdued colors.
The circular permitted workers in artistic and field roles to wear professional clothing appropriate to the nature of their work, while mandating that labor inspectors wear a jacket or vest with judicial police status during field inspections.
The Authority stressed that violation of the circular’s provisions constitutes an administrative offense. First-time offenders will receive a warning via a memo through the correspondence system, while disciplinary measures will be taken in cases of repetition. Direct supervisors are responsible for monitoring compliance.
