SDG8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth," focuses on promoting inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. In Kuwait, the government has established a supportive legal framework to protect employees' rights and promote economic growth.
Labor Rights and Government Support in Kuwait:
Labor Law: Kuwait has a comprehensive labor law that safeguards workers' rights. This law covers various aspects, including working hours, wages, leave, and occupational safety.
Minimum Wage: Kuwait has implemented a minimum wage system to ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their labor.
Equal Pay: The labor law promotes equal pay for equal work, irrespective of gender or nationality.
Occupational Health and Safety: Kuwait enforces strict regulations to protect workers' health and safety in the workplace.
Labor Mobility: The government supports labor mobility by facilitating the recruitment of foreign workers while ensuring their fair treatment and legal rights.
GUST's Commitment to Staff and Employee Equality:
GUST values staff and employee equality and demonstrates this commitment in various ways:
Equal Opportunities: GUST provides equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of gender, nationality, or background, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Competitive Compensation: The university offers competitive compensation packages, including fair salaries and benefits, to attract and retain talented staff and employees.
Professional Development: GUST supports staff and employee growth through professional development opportunities, training programs, and career advancement pathways.
Work-Life Balance: The university promotes work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements and employee support services.
Employee Representation: GUST encourages open communication and has mechanisms in place for staff and employees to voice concerns and provide feedback.
Labor Relations: The university maintains respectful labor relations and complies with all labor laws and regulations in Kuwait.
In Kuwait, SDG 8 is supported by a robust labor law that protects workers' rights and fosters economic growth. GUST complements these efforts by ensuring staff and employee equality, offering competitive compensation and professional development opportunities, and maintaining a supportive work environment. Together, Kuwait and institutions like GUST contribute to the realization of SDG 8, creating an environment where decent work, economic growth, and employee well-being are at the forefront of their missions.
Fair Compensation and Living Wage Commitment
At Gulf University for Science and Technology, we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation for all our employees. The university maintains a structured salary scale that aligns with Kuwait’s labor laws and the national standards for fair employment. All staff and faculty members receive salaries that are well above the local living wage and are reviewed periodically to remain competitive and sufficient to meet the cost of living for a family in Kuwait.
GUST strictly complies with Article 63 of the Kuwait Labor Law, which mandates that wages be sufficient to meet employees’ basic needs and ensure a decent standard of living, thus aligning with indicator 8.2.1. In addition to base pay, GUST provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, annual leave, end-of-service benefits, and professional development opportunities. This approach reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the financial stability, wellbeing, and professional growth of every member of our community.
Remuneration Policy
The purpose of the Gulf University for Science & Technology remuneration policy is to:
- Provide fair, equitable and competitive compensation for its employees
- Encourage and reward high performance
- Attract individuals of the right caliber, qualifications and experience to the university
- Provide flexibility to adapt to market changes and imperatives
- HR develops salary scale based on market compensation data obtained from professional surveys
- Salary scale consists of grades that describe different job levels and categories in the organization. Jobs are evaluated by HR Department to determine the appropriate grade
- The HR Department will, on a three-year basis, undertake a market review to ensure the continued competitiveness of the salary structure. Recommendations from this review will be presented to the University Senior Management Team for consideration and action as deemed appropriate
These are some of the benefits granted to an employee:
1. Workmen Compensation
- Employees will be enrolled under workers’ compensation insurance plan upon joining
- Employees are covered for job-related injuries/diseases.
- Coverage is provided during working hours including the travel from place of residence to work and vice versa.
- Compensation amount for job-related injuries/diseases are set per the Kuwait Labor Law and/or insurance policy.
- Some restrictions may be applied, refer to the current Workmen Compensation Policy
2. Health Insurance
- GUST Employees are eligible for Group Health Insurance Plan coverage
- Employees will incur part of the treatment cost in line with the agreed Insurance Plan terms and conditions
- If the employee is entitled for health insurance coverage for spouse and children, then they must be resident in Kuwait to be enrolled in the health insurance plan
3. Temporary Accommodation
- For international new hires, accommodation will be provided for a period of one month.
- The employee will not receive the monthly housing allowance, if applicable, during the stay in the temporary accommodation.
4. Duplication of Benefits
- If a husband and wife are both employees of GUST, then the employee with the higher entitlement will get the Benefit for the children.
- It is the responsibility of the employees to declare their status to the HR department.
- In case an employee has already claimed full entitlement for an ongoing year and either employee or the GUST terminates his employment, a prorated amount based on his date of resignation or termination will be deducted from the end of service benefits.
Faculty Senate Committee
In alignment with SDG 8.2.2, which emphasizes recognizing unions and ensuring freedom of association for all staff, including women and international employees, the Gulf University for Science and Technology upholds a strong culture of shared governance through the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate serves as the official representative body of the faculty, ensuring that their collective voice is heard in decisions related to academic affairs, teaching and learning conditions, and overall faculty welfare.
Role and Objectives
The Faculty Senate operates as an independent platform where faculty members can freely express their views, raise concerns, and propose recommendations to the university administration. It acts as a forum to promote collaboration and transparency, reinforcing the university’s dedication to fair employment practices and inclusive dialogue. The Committee reviews and discusses university-wide matters, including those that affect working conditions, faculty rights, and academic standards. Through regular meetings and structured communication, it ensures that faculty perspectives are reflected in decision-making processes.
Inclusive and Democratic Membership
Membership in the Faculty Committee is open to all full-time faculty, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. Senators are elected democratically by their respective academic departments within the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Engineering and Architecture, ensuring fair representation across the university. The Committee also elects its own President and Secretary each academic year to oversee meetings, maintain official records, and ensure transparent documentation of decisions. Agendas and minutes are shared with all faculty members to promote accountability and inclusivity.
Commitment to Equality and Fair Practices
Through its democratic structure and active engagement, the Faculty Committee supports GUST’s commitment to maintaining a workplace that values equality, collaboration, and professional respect. This representative body provides a formal mechanism for faculty to voice concerns, present proposals, and participate in shaping policies that enhance both academic quality and employee satisfaction. In doing so, GUST demonstrates its adherence to the principles of freedom of association and collective participation, ensuring that all faculty, including women and international staff, are empowered to contribute to the development and well-being of the university community.
Employment policy on discrimination
GUST upholds a strong commitment to equality, fairness, and diversity in the workplace. The university strictly prohibits all forms of discrimination, ensuring that every employee is treated with dignity, respect, and impartiality, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, social status, or physical or mental ability. GUST fosters an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and every individual has equal access to opportunities for professional growth and development.
In alignment with its Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, GUST bases all recruitment, employment, and promotion decisions solely on skills, qualifications, and merit required for the position (Indicator 8.2.3). This merit-based approach reinforces the university’s dedication to maintaining a fair and equitable workplace, supporting its broader mission to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all.
Policy on Modern Slavery and Forced Labor
GUST maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, or child labor. As stated in the Employee Code of Conduct Policy, the university is firmly committed to ensuring that such practices do not occur within its organization or operations. This reflects GUST’s dedication to maintaining the highest ethical and human rights standards in all aspects of employment and institutional governance (Indicator 8.2.4).
In alignment with its Employment Policy, GUST requires that all candidates meet ethical and legal employment conditions, including being at least 18 years of age, of good conduct and behavior, and having no record of serious offences. Through these measures, GUST upholds a responsible recruitment process and reinforces its commitment to creating a safe, fair, and dignified workplace for all employees.
GUST Commitment to Fair Employment and Ethical Outsourcing
Gulf University for Science and Technology is committed to ensuring that all individuals contributing to its operations—whether directly employed or through external service providers—enjoy fair, safe, and equitable working conditions. In alignment with SDG 8.2.5, the University maintains strict internal policies to guarantee that the rights and welfare of outsourced workers are equivalent to those of its direct employees.
Under the Recruitment and Appointment Policy, GUST upholds transparent and non-discriminatory employment practices that extend to all staff, contractors, and outsourced personnel. The policy prohibits favoritism, bias, or nepotism in recruitment and ensures that every employment contract complies fully with Kuwait Labor Law, protecting all workers—internal or external—under the same legal and ethical standards. This provision guarantees that outsourced workers benefit from the same legal protections regarding salary, benefits, working hours, and occupational safety as GUST’s own staff. Every contract issued by GUST includes clauses ensuring compliance with these standards. Employment contracts and remuneration structures are carefully reviewed by the Human Resources Department to ensure fairness and compliance.
Complementing this, GUST enforces a Qualified Vendors List Policy to regulate outsourcing and third-party engagement. Only vendors that meet the University’s stringent qualification requirements are approved to provide services. Vendors are evaluated based on their professional competence, legal compliance, financial capacity, and previous performance. Importantly, this process guarantees that GUST partners only with vendors who uphold decent labor standards, equitable treatment of workers, and ethical employment practices.
The policy also promotes inclusivity and economic growth by ensuring equal opportunities for all qualified vendors to bid for university projects. This transparent selection process not only supports local economic development but also reinforces GUST’s accountability in maintaining social responsibility across its supply chain. Through these integrated policies, GUST demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to decent work, ethical outsourcing, and sustainable economic growth, ensuring that fairness and integrity guide every partnership and employment decision.
Ensuring Pay Equity and Fair Compensation
At Gulf University for Science and Technology, fair compensation is a cornerstone of our employment philosophy. Through our Salary & Grading Structure Policy, the University guarantees equitable pay practices that are transparent, standardized, and free from bias.
This policy provides a clear framework that determines employee remuneration solely on objective factors such as role, experience, and performance. GUST regularly reviews its pay scale every three years, or as needed, to ensure continued alignment with labor market benchmarks and to address any internal equity adjustments. These periodic assessments, conducted under the supervision of the Human Resources Department and approved by the Board of Trustees, reinforce the University’s commitment to eliminating any form of pay disparity, including gender-based pay gaps.
In addition, no deviations from the approved grading or salary structure are permitted without formal justification and approval from University leadership, ensuring fairness and accountability in all compensation decisions. Through these structured policies and consistent reviews, GUST upholds the principles of equal pay for equal work, promoting a culture of fairness, inclusion, and decent work for all employees (indicator 8.2.6).
GUST Grievances Policy
The Gulf University for Science and Technology ensures that all employees have access to a formal and transparent appeal process to address concerns related to their employment rights and conditions, in line with SDG 8.2.8. Employees are encouraged to raise grievances through proper reporting channels regarding issues such as pay and benefits, performance management, discrimination, harassment, or changes in employment conditions.
This process safeguards employees from any educational or employment disadvantage when voicing their concerns. GUST’s Human Resources Department oversees all grievance cases to ensure fair evaluation and resolution in line with the university’s ethical and professional standards. Through this structured system, GUST reinforces its commitment to maintaining a respectful, equitable, and supportive work environment for all staff and faculty.
GUST Grievances Procedure
1. Informal approach: Employee shall initially approach the immediate Supervisor/Manager in case of any grievance issue.
2. Formal approach: Where the issue is not resolved through the immediate Supervisor/Manager, employees may raise the grievance issue in writing to their Dean/Director/Vice President.
2.1.1. Evaluation of the case: The Dean/Director/Vice President shall meet and review the matter and shall arrive to a decision within five working days after the meeting is held. That outcome/solution shall be communicated to the employee in writing.
2.1.2. Grievance appeal: In the event that the employee is not satisfied with the outcome, further appeal may be made to the HR Department. Then, the HR should evaluate the case and recommend if Grievance committee can be formed to discuss and recommend resolutions.
Recognition of Labor Rights
Gulf University for Science and Technology is committed to upholding fair labor standards that promote equality, dignity, and respect for all employees. The university recognizes the rights of all staff and faculty, regardless of gender, nationality, or background, to freely express opinions, associate, and participate in open dialogue about their work environment. Through established mechanisms such as the Faculty Senate Committee, employees have a structured platform to raise concerns, share feedback, and contribute to institutional decision-making.
In addition, GUST ensures transparency and fairness in all employment practices through its policies on equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, renumeration, grievances and fair pay. The university fosters an inclusive and supportive workplace culture, encouraging collaboration and communication across all departments. These measures collectively reflect GUST’s dedication to maintaining an ethical, equitable, and rights-based environment for all members of its community.
