Basic labour rights of OFW in KSA

Security of Tenure

• Probationary period shall not exceed 90 days, exclusive of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays and sick leaves. 
• Each party shall have the right to terminate the contract during this period, unless the contract embodies a clause giving the right to terminate the contract to only one of them. 
• If the contract is terminated for an invalid reason, the party who is harmed by such termination shall be entitled to indemnity to be assessed by the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes, taking into account the termination circumstances and actual and potential material and moral damages sustained. A worker who has been dismissed from work without valid reason may demand reinstatement. Such claims shall be considered in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the Litigation Regulations before the Commissions for the Settlement of Labor Disputes.

Hours of Work

• Maximum of 8 hours a day for a 48-hour work week (can be increased to 9 hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain industries and jobs where the worker does not work continuously and can be reduced to 7 hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain hazardous or harmful industries or jobs).
• Reduced to a maximum of 6 working hours or 36-hour work week during Ramadan.
• No employee shall work for more than 5 consecutive hours without a break of no less than 30 minutes each time during the total working hours for rest, prayer and meals, provided that a worker shall not remain at the workplace for more than 11 hours a day.

Weekly Rest Days

• One rest for every 6 working days.
• The weekly rest day shall be at full pay and shall not be less than 24 consecutive hours. 

Wage and Wage Related Benefits

• The Council of Ministers may, when necessary and upon a proposal by the Minister, set a minimum wage. 
• Overtime pay: 50% of basic wage
• End of service Gratuity

Payments of Wages

• Paid in Saudi Riyal, at the place of work (or through bank transfer)
• Paid at least once a month, except workers on a daily basis (paid once a week)

Employment of Women

• Women may not work during a period of night the duration of which is not less than 11 consecutive hours, except in cases determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister.
• Maternity leave with full pay: 4 weeks before delivery and 6 weeks after delivery (must be in the service for 3 years or more)
• Maternity leave with half pay: 4 weeks before delivery and 6 weeks after delivery (1 year or more of service)
• Fully paid leave in case of husband death: 15 days as of the date of death

Leave Entitlement

• 21 days to 30 days a year
• KSA national holidays
• Sick leave with full pay: 30 days
• Sick leave with ¾ pay: next 60 days
• Sick leave with no pay: next 30 days
• Special leave (death of family or in case of marriage): 5 days
• Hajj leave: not less than 10 days and not more than 15 days (once only)

Ministry of Labour and Social Development Contacts 

Customer Service 19911
Branch of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 12 661 6688
Working Hours: 8:00am – 2:15pm

Branch of the Ministry of Labour and Development
Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 11 207 5167
Working Hours: 8:00am – 2:00pm

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development
Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 11 417 9500
Working Hours: 8:00am – 3:00pm

The Ministry of Labour Branch in Makkah
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 12 631 1713
Working Hours: 8:00am – 2:30pm

Recruitment of members of the Ministry of Labour Office
Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 92 001 1252
Working Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm

The Ministry of Social Affairs
Madinah Branch
Tel: +966 14 865 4411
Working Hours: 8:00am – 2:00pm