Labour changes set to take effect in Saudi Arabia

Cairo: Starting from this month, Saudi Arabia will increase maternity leave for working women to 12 weeks instead of 10 weeks as part of a set of substantial changes to the labour system aimed at preserving contractual rights and boosting the work environment.

The amendments, announced by the kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources, stipulate that a worker in Saudi Arabia has the right to a five-day paid leave in the event of the spouse’s death to consolidate family ties. Likewise, the worker is entitled to a five-day paid leave upon marriage to encourage family stability.

Moreover, a notice for terminating an employment contract with non-specific duration is now put at 30 days if the notice comes from the worker, and 60 days on the employer’s side.

Additionally, the latest changes specify overtime hours so that all work done on holidays and Eid (Muslim festivals) are considered overtime hours, ensuring that workers are compensated for their efforts on these occasions, reported Okaz newspaper.

Another amendment puts the duration of work on a trial basis at a maximum of 180 days.

The changes also obligate the employer to shun acts of discrimination in employment based on race, colour, sex, disability or social status to promote the principles of justice and equality.

Furthermore, penalties are imposed for practising the business of employing workers without a licence, as these amendments are also aimed to bolster he regulation of the labour market.

In 2020, Saudi Arabia unveiled major labour reforms, drastically improving its sponsorship system.

The reforms, which went into effect in the following year, allow job mobility and regulate the exit and re-entry visa issuance for expat workers without employers’ approval.