Saudi has always welcomed expatriates with open arms. Saudi Arabia’s regulations and laws have always been clear about expats; however, in some cases, expats face unfair treatment by employers due to unawareness of their rights. If you are also an expat or planning to explore Saudi for work, here are the rights of expatriates under Saudi labor law that you should know;
Employment Contracts
A written employment contract is mandatory for expats in Saudi. This contract includes job role, term of employment, salary, working hours, and other benefits.
- As an employee, you can request a Saudi Labor Law contract from the company.
- Besides, if you cannot understand Arabic, you can request that the employer provide you with an English contract.
Probation Period & Additional Work
According to Saudi Labor Law, probation should not exceed 6 months. In case of any forceful extension, the employee can negotiate if he knows his rights.
The employer cannot assign any additional work to the employee other than the ones mentioned in the contract.
Working Hours & Overtime
The working hours and overtime regulations for Saudi nationals and expats are the same. According to Saudi Labor Law,
- The standard working hours per day are 8 and 48 hours per week.
- The employee can have one full day’s rest.
- In case of overtime, the employer is subjected to overtime compensation. Moreover, overtime is 150% of their normal hourly wage rate.
Salary & Wages Payment
Saudi Labor Law is very particular about timely payment and fair wages.
- The employers must not delay the salaries for more than 7 days after the end of the wage period.
- The salaries should be paid in Saudi currency unless agreed otherwise.
- Saudi Labor Law does not define a minimum wage. However, the employee should ensure the wages align with the contract.
Holidays & Annual leaves
Like Saudi nationals, expats are also subjected to yearly holidays and annual leaves. As per Saudi Labor Law,
- Expats can have a minimum of 21 days of paid leave per year. If the employee works for 5 years with the same employer, the leave will be entitled to 30 days per year.
- With a medical certificate, the expats can have up to 30 days of paid sick leave annually.
- Like nationals, expats will have leave on public days (i.e., eid or national days).
End of Service Benefits (ESB)
Upon the service end, expatriates are entitled to ESBs. According to Saudi Labor Law,
- Gratuity is based on the total number of years the expat has served.
- For the first five years, they will receive a half-month salary for each year worked. After that, the amount will be increased to a month’s salary for each additional year.
- If the employer terminates the employee without any valid reason before the contract ends, the employee must pay the full ESB to the employer. He is also entitled to any additional compensation in the employment contract.
Health & Safety Laws
Saudi labor law is very strict about providing a safe working environment for employees.
- Proper safety kits and protocols should be provided to employees. Surety of a hazard-free environment is a must.
- Employers should provide health insurance to their employees and their dependents. The health insurance should cover the emergencies and medical treatments.
Dispute Regulations & Legal Recourse
In case of disputes with employers, the Saudi Labor Law has a special Labor court. The court resolves the dispute based on fair trials.
- An expat can file a complaint against his employer in case of a labor law violation (e.g., nonpayment of wages or overtime compensation).
Employment Certificate
At the end of employment, the employer should give the employee the employment certificate without any additional charges. Further, the certificate should not include anything that can harm the employer’s reputation.
Job Switching & Iqama Fee
As per Saudi Labor Law, if the employee wants to switch jobs, the new employer will bear the Iqama transfer expenses or any relevant expenses.
Death or Disability on Site
The government of Saudi Arabia is entitled to compensation for work injuries. In addition, compensation for work injuries under Saudi law is also applicable in case of on-site death of the employer.
Source: Saudi Labor Law official website
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