SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Introduction
Investors in People (IIP) is an internationally recognized accreditation standard for people management and organizational development. Established in the United Kingdom, it provides a framework for organizations to improve their performance through effective leadership, support, and development of their workforce
The Australian University is a silver accreditation organization by IIP which signifies that the right principles are in place and that people and leaders are making active efforts to ensure consistency across the organization. Furthermore, silver accreditation demonstrates that an organization is performing well above the industry norm in terms of people management.
To achieve this accreditation, organizations are evaluated on several key areas:
- Leading and inspiring people
- Living the organization’s values and behaviors
- Empowering and involving people
- Managing performance
- Recognizing and rewarding high performance
- Structuring work
- Building capability
- Delivering continuous improvement
- Creating sustainable success
IIP Silver accreditation is a significant achievement that demonstrates the Australian University’s commitment to effective people management practices, placing it among the top performers in this area. It reflects a culture of trust, employee voice, and alignment with organizational values and behaviors positioning the Australian University as an employer of choice, which is particularly valuable in the higher education sector in Kuwait.
Union Employment Practices
The Kuwait Labor Law ensures fair rights and working conditions for all employees regardless of gender, nationality and religious background. Furthermore, it does not support any kind of harassment, forced labor, human trafficking and child labor.
The Kuwait Labor Law under Article (98) stipulates the right to establish unions for employers and the right to syndicate organization for workers is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
AU strictly adheres to all articles of the Kuwait Labor Law. The University ensures that all employment practices including recruitment, compensation, working hours, leave entitlements, end-of-service benefits and unions for employers are fully compliant with Kuwait labor regulations. This commitment reflects AU’s dedication to maintaining a fair, transparent, and legally compliant work environment that protects the rights and well-being of all employees.
Ending Discrimination in the workplace
Recognition of Labour Rights for all Employees
AU affirms the labor rights of all employees, including the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, regardless of gender or nationality. AU recognizes and supports the establishment and operation of representative staff bodies and unions that advocate for employee interests.
AU also works closely with these bodies, ensuring that employees have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their working conditions and rights. By cultivating an inclusive, rights-respecting workplace, AU is committed to fair practice and equitable treatment for all members of its academic and administrative staff.
These include the AU Faculty Association, the AU Staff Union (in line with Kuwait Labor Law), and recognition of relevant national professional bodies (e.g., Kuwait Trade Union Federation, Kuwait Society of Engineers, etc.) for matters related to professional practice.
Kuwait Labour Law under Article (98) stipulates the right to establish unions for employers and the right to syndicate organization for workers is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“Article (98): The right to establish unions for employers and the right to syndicate organization for workers is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of this Law. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to workers in the private sector. They shall also apply to the workers in the public and oil sectors to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of other laws regulating their affairs.”