Employee Rights Under Saudi Labor Law 2026
Core employee rights in the Saudi Labor Law: wage, working hours, leaves, notice, dismissal, and compensation — with explicit references to the governing articles.
The Saudi Labor Law, issued by Royal Decree M/51 of 1426 AH and its subsequent amendments, governs the worker–employer relationship. This guide covers core rights directly with references to the governing article, so it serves as a practical reference when asked about a specific right.
Wage and Time
Wage — How It Is Paid
- In the official currency (Saudi Riyal) and via a bank in the Wage Protection System
- Cycle: monthly for monthly-paid employees (Article 90), weekly or bi-monthly for daily workers
- Due date: within the first week of the month following the pay cycle (Article 90)
- Delay compensation: the employee may claim compensation for delay via the Labor Office
Working Hours
| Item | Detail | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly cap | 48 hours (8 × 6 days) | Art. 98 |
| Ramadan (Muslim) | 36 hours (6 daily) | Art. 98(2) |
| Overtime | Paid at 150% of the regular hourly wage | Art. 107 |
| Working Friday/Holiday | Compensatory rest day or 150% pay | Art. 105 |
Overtime cap: 300 hours per year with Ministry approval. Exceeding this requires special authorization.
Leaves
Annual Leave (Article 109)
- 21 days minimum in the first year
- 30 days after 5 consecutive years with the same employer
- Cannot be waived in writing, and cannot be replaced by cash except at end of service
- Carry-over: leave may be carried to the next year by written agreement
Sick Leave (Article 117)
Within one year the worker is entitled to:
| Period | Wage percentage |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Full wage |
| 60 days | Three-quarters wage |
| 30 days | Unpaid |
| Total | 120 days |
Requires a medical report from a certified provider (government hospital or insured provider).
Occasion Leaves
- Eid al-Fitr: 4 days (Article 112)
- Eid al-Adha: 4 days (Article 112)
- National Day: 1 day
- Marriage leave: 5 days (Article 113)
- Paternity leave: 3 days (Article 113 after M/46 amendment)
- Bereavement (spouse/parent/child): 5 days (Article 113)
- Widow's mourning leave: 130 days (Article 160)
Maternity Leave (Article 151)
- 10 weeks at full pay, split between pre- and post-birth per the worker's choice
- 4 additional weeks at full pay if the newborn requires special care
- Daily nursing right: one hour per day until the child reaches 6 months (Article 154)
Termination and Notice
Termination Types
| Type | Party | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimate termination (Art. 74) | Employer | Full gratuity |
| Grave dismissal (Art. 80) | Employer | No gratuity |
| Resignation (Art. 85) | Employee | Tiered gratuity |
| Unfair dismissal | Employer | Additional compensation + full gratuity |
| Termination for worker's disability | Health condition | Full gratuity |
Notice Period (Article 75)
- 60 days in writing for monthly-paid employees
- 30 days for others
The employer may accelerate termination by paying a notice allowance (the remaining period's wage).
Unfair Dismissal — Compensation
Article 77: if the dismissal is unfair on an open-ended contract, the compensation is:
- 15 days' wage per year of service, based on the last wage
- With a minimum of two months' wage
- In addition to the full end-of-service gratuity
By ruling of the Labor Court.
Protection and Safety
Job Security
- No dismissal during annual or sick leave (Article 77)
- No dismissal for union activity or formal complaint (Art. 77)
- Protection of pregnant and nursing workers — the contract cannot be terminated due to pregnancy (Article 151)
Wage Protection
The Wage Protection System obliges the employer to pay wages via approved Saudi banks, and the Ministry of Human Resources monitors establishment compliance monthly. Non-compliance suspends the establishment's government services.
Formal Complaint Process
First: Amicable Settlement
- Via Absher → "Foreign Workforce" → "Labor Complaints"
- Reviewed within 21 days
- 65% of complaints are resolved at this stage
Second: Labor Court
If amicable settlement fails, it is referred to:
- Specialized Labor Courts (Article 224)
- Litigation is free for the worker
- First-instance ruling within 6–12 months on average
- Appeal available within 30 days of the ruling
Official Sources
- Saudi Labor Law, Royal Decree M/51 and amendments
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, hrsd.gov.sa
- Absher labor complaint platform
- Najiz portal for Labor Courts
Expat vs Saudi Rights — Differences Many Don't Know
Most Saudi Labor Law provisions apply without distinction between Saudi and expat — the right to wage, working hours, leaves, notice, and unfair dismissal is equal for both. But specific differences exist:
| Item | Saudi | Expat |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | 4,000 SAR (Nitaqat) | No statutory minimum |
| Labor law | Full rights | Full rights |
| Social insurance | Full GOSI (pension) | Partial GOSI (injury insurance usually only) |
| End-of-service gratuity | Article 84 of Labor Law | Same, Article 84 |
| Annual leave | 21-30 days | 21-30 days |
| Exit and re-entry | No approval needed | Needs employer approval — except statutory cases |
| Sponsorship transfer | No sponsorship at all | Possible under conditions via Qiwa |
Source: full law — laws.boe.gov.sa and Ministry of HR explanations.
Women's Rights in Saudi Labor Law
Since 2019-2021 reforms, Saudi female worker rights expanded significantly:
- Equal pay (Article 3): "wages are equal for work of equal value regardless of gender."
- Maternity leave (Article 151): 10 weeks paid, 4 before delivery and 6 after, with option to extend 4 weeks unpaid.
- Iddah leave (Article 160): for a woman whose husband dies, full-pay for 4 months and 10 days.
- Child-care leave (Article 153): for a mother who gave birth to a disabled or chronically ill child — paid.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: cannot terminate a pregnant or breastfeeding worker's contract (Article 155).
- Return to work: the worker has the right to her same job after maternity leave (Article 151).
These rights are effective regardless of contract wording — any conflicting clause is void.
Read also: End-of-Service Gratuity Calculator · GOSI Pension Guide 2026 · Kafala Transfer, Conditions and Solutions · Annual and Sick Leave Calculator · Net Salary After Social Insurance
الأسئلة الشائعة
48 hours per week (8 hours per day over 6 days) per Article 98. This is reduced to 36 hours per week (6 hours per day) during Ramadan for Muslim workers per Article 98(2).
At least 21 days per year of service, raised to 30 days after 5 consecutive years with the same employer per Article 109. Leave cannot be waived in writing or replaced by cash except at end of service.
Article 117 grants 30 days at full pay, then 60 days at three-quarters pay, then 30 days unpaid, all within one year, subject to a medical report from a certified provider. Total 120 days per year.
An unfair dismissal is any termination not falling under Article 80's permitted causes. Its remedy per Article 77: compensation of two months' wage per year of service on an open-ended contract, or the remaining contract term on a fixed-term contract. Full end-of-service gratuity is also paid.
Article 75: at least 60 days in writing for monthly-paid employees, and 30 days for others. The employer may accelerate termination by paying an allowance covering the notice period.
Article 86: yes, provided the monthly deduction does not exceed 50% of the wage, follows an approved penalty schedule, is documented in writing, and gives the employee 15 days to appeal.
End-of-service gratuity per Article 84: half a month's wage for each of the first five years plus one full month for each subsequent year. For details and special cases, see our [end-of-service gratuity calculator](/end-of-service-gratuity-calculator).
Part of the series: Labour Law & Rights
Article 1 of 5Your rights under Saudi labour law: leave, end-of-service gratuity, and unemployment insurance — with calculators that run in your browser.
- 1.Employee Rights Under Saudi Labor Law 2026Pillar guide
- 2.Saudi Labor Law Leave Calculator 2026, Annual and Sick Leave
- 3.Saudi End-of-Service Gratuity Calculator 2026, Compute It Precisely
- 4.SANED Unemployment Insurance 2026: Eligibility, Contribution, and Monthly Benefit
- 5.Net Salary Calculator After GOSI Deductions in Saudi Arabia
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