8.2 Employment Practice
8.2.1 Employment Practice living Wage
8.2.2 Employment Practice Unions
8.2.3 Employment Policy on Discrimination
8.2.4 Employment Policy on Modern Slavery
8.2.5 Employment Practice Equivalent Rights Outsourcing
8.2.6 Employment Policy on Pay Scale Equity
8.2.7 Track Pay Scale for Gender Equity
8.2.8 Employment Practice Appeal Process
8.2.9 Employment Practice Labor Rights
Employment Practice: Equivalent Rights in Outsourcing
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) is committed to maintaining fair and transparent employment practices that uphold the rights of all workers—whether directly employed or contracted through third-party service providers. In alignment with SDG 8.2.5: Employment Practice Equivalent Rights Outsourcing, GUST ensures that outsourced employees and contracted vendors receive the same protections, working conditions, and ethical treatment as its internal staff.
Recruitment and Appointment Policy
Under the Recruitment and Appointment Policy, GUST guarantees that all recruitment and employment decisions are made on the basis of skills, qualifications, and merit, with no discrimination or favoritism of any kind. This policy applies equally to outsourced personnel, contractors, and temporary workers engaged by the University. Every employment contract—whether internal or external—must comply fully with Kuwait Labor Law, which defines the minimum standards for wages, working hours, benefits, occupational safety, and human rights protections.
The policy explicitly states that when outsourcing activities to third parties, GUST takes all appropriate measures to ensure that equivalent rights of employees are met, including salary fairness, access to benefits, and safe working conditions. The Human Resources Department regularly reviews contract terms and vendor compliance to ensure that all employment relationships meet both legal and ethical standards.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
GUST’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy further reinforces this commitment by ensuring equal rights and protections for all workers. It states that all employment and promotion decisions are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, social status, disability, or nationality. This principle extends to all third-party personnel and contract workers engaged in University operations, guaranteeing that they are treated with fairness and equality under the same institutional framework as GUST’s full-time staff.
Qualified Vendors List Policy
In addition, GUST’s Qualified Vendors List Policy, approved by the Finance Department, ensures that all outsourced service providers are carefully selected, evaluated, and approved based on their compliance with university and national labor standards.
Key provisions include:
- Only qualified vendors who meet GUST’s ethical, financial, and operational standards may be contracted.
- No payments are made to any vendor for work valued at KD 3,000 or more unless they are on the approved Qualified Vendors List, ensuring full institutional oversight.
- Vendors are evaluated based on their performance history, financial capacity, legal compliance, and workforce standards, including adherence to labor rights.
- All qualified vendors are given equal opportunities to bid for work, promoting fairness and competitive access.
- Selection criteria include previous performance, experience with similar projects, and adherence to governmental agency requirements, ensuring legal and ethical alignment.
Through these policies, GUST ensures that outsourced employees, vendors, and contractors receive equivalent rights and protections as direct university employees, meeting both local legal obligations and international sustainability standards. This integrated approach demonstrates GUST’s firm commitment to ethical employment practices, fair outsourcing, and the broader goals of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
