On October 2015 huge numbers of amendments were announced in Saudi Arabian Labor Laws announced under Royal Decree No. M/46 of 05/05/1436H. On April 2016 some of new changes were make in Saudi Labor Law these changes were introduced to create balance marketplace for new foreign business and protection and development of local businesses or labors.
Laws were sometime complicated to read in original form so we summarize them in short key points, which allows our readers to understand these laws. These labor laws affects every worker in Saudi Arabia hence it is a pillar for relational between employer with his worker. So let see what were recent changes made in Saudi Arabia Labor Law.
Probationary Period:
The minimum period of probation period is 90 days but extended up to 180 days. But this is only for once same employer/sponsor. Employee get next probation after change of sponsor.Or was not engaged by the same employer in the last six months.
Experience certificate in Saudi Labor Laws
Transfer of Job Place: Can employer relocate me to another location under Saudi Labor Law? – Article 58
If any employee not happy with current branch of company and want to change his geographical location than he/she submit written application to employer. But every year 30 days were allowed for employer to temporary change his employee location of job .
Notice Period:
Notice period is time period when which employee have to state in his open job contract that when he want to resign he have to inform sponsor before 30 days. Currently maximum 60 days were set by ministry of labor in term of notice period.
Leave During Notice Period: during notice period employee get paid leave for full day or 8 hour so that he could able to find new employment.
Transportation allowance in Saudi labor laws during annual leave
Compensation:
Both parties must be agree in job contract for compensation. How much compensation is paid after termination of contract.
For infinite or permanent contracts 15 days compensation per annum
The balance of wages for the remaining employment term, in the fixed-term contract.
Leave Without Valid Reason:
If employee is absent from work without informing or giving a valid reason during non-leave days. Empoyer has right to terminate contract. Such as employee is absent from 30 days non consective days in a year or 15 consective days in a year. Employer must has to give warning after 20 days and 10 days to employee.
Renewal of Contract:
Fixed terms(temporary contract) can be renewed three times. If the time period become 4 year than it is considered as indefinite contract.
References and sanctions
Employee has right to given with departing ticket as well as experience certificates. Employer must have to maintain all records related to employee such as fines imposed by Authorties, worker iqama information, dates, fines and prisons reasons etc.
Leave During Job:
Maternity leave: Female worker must be given with 10 weeks fully paid leave. The leave can also be increased to on more month but on unpaid basis.
A number of amendments increasing short-term leave have been introduced.
Marriage and Bereavement leave (death of close family member): Three to five days leave given to employee in case of his marriage and death of close family member.
Paternity leave: leave has been increased from one to three days.
Working Time/Hours:
Employee not allowed to work consecutively more the 5 hours. Total 12 hours working hours limit is allowed on daily basis.
Employment Contract:
MOL Saudi Arabia give standard form of contracts and must be made by every registered company according to that standard. Contract must be written in accordance with laws.
Injuries during Work:
All employers must provide aid to employees who were unable to work due to injuries causes while working the aid is in the form of finance or giving proper health care. The rate is equal to 75 % of worker wage. If the injury is severe or recovered late, it is also duty of employer to compensate the worker.
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