If you are a migrant worker in Kuwait and your employer has threatened to file an absconding case—or you have not heard from them since leaving work—you can check your status online. The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) e-portal which provides an inquiry service for absence reports and the Sahel app which allows workers to see whether an absence report has been filed against them using only their Civil ID.
An absconding report, known locally as “hurub,” is serious. In the private sector, an employer can file it after a worker has been absent for seven straight days without authorization, approved sick leave, or proper notice. Once filed, it can affect your residency, work permit, and ability to leave or return to Kuwait.
The good news is that a report does not always mean the end of the road. Workers can ask their employer to withdraw it, file an objection, or seek help from Philippine government offices in Kuwait.
Check Your Status in Minutes
You do not need to visit an office or pay anyone to find out if a case exists. Use only official channels:
- PAM e-portal: Go to manpower.gov.kw, open inquiry services, enter your Civil ID, then click “Inquiry.”
- Sahel app: Log in with your Kuwait Mobile ID, open “Services,” choose the Public Authority for Manpower, select “Inquiry Services,” then tap “Check Absconding.”
- Ministry of Interior: Check your visa and residency status separately, especially if you plan to travel or change employers.
If the PAM website is slow, try the Sahel app. Checking early matters because an unresolved report can already be linked to residency or immigration action.
What an Absconding Report Can Do
Once an employer files the report through PAM’s Ashal platform, the worker receives a notification and has 60 days to contest it.
- Your legal residency may be cancelled.
- You may be flagged for violating residency rules.
- You could face fines, detention, deportation, or a travel ban.
- The case may complicate future work or travel plans.
Do not assume the report will disappear on its own. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
What to Do if There Is a Case
Start with your employer. They can withdraw or cancel the report through the PAM portal, and a written withdrawal is the cleanest way to resolve it.
If your employer refuses, file an objection with the Labor Relations Department within 60 days. Acting within the first 30 days is often advised because it gives you more time to prepare your evidence.
Bring documents that show why you were absent or that the report is wrong:
- Medical certificates or sick-leave records
- Chats, text messages, or calls with your employer
- Salary slips and travel records
- A termination letter, if you were dismissed
Where Expats Can Get Help
If you feel overwhelmed or unsure of the next step, contact your country’s embassy in Kuwait. They can guide you on your options and assist with repatriation if returning home becomes necessary.
If you believe the report is false, keep every message, contract, payslip, and termination document. Do not sign a waiver in exchange for a promise not to file a report, and do not ignore the notification—even if the accusation seems baseless.