Know Your Rights Under Saudi Labor Law

Knowing your rights is the strongest protection you have as an employee in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Labor Law sets clear minimum standards that an employer cannot reduce, no matter what a contract says. This guide walks you through the essentials every worker should understand: probation, working hours, overtime, rest days, paid leave, and what you are owed when the job ends.

Probation Period

A probation period must be written into your contract; if it is not stated, you are not considered to be on probation. Under the Labor Law, probation may not exceed 90 days, and the contract may provide for it to be extended up to a maximum of 180 days.

• Official holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and any sick leave, are not counted within the probation period.
• During probation, either party may end the contract without notice and without end-of-service compensation, unless the contract grants better terms.
• You generally cannot be placed on probation twice with the same employer for the same job.

Working Hours and Ramadan

Standard working time is 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. These are maximums, and your actual hours may be lower. During the month of Ramadan, working hours for Muslim employees are reduced to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week, with no reduction in pay.

• Total daily presence (work plus breaks) should not normally exceed eleven hours.
• You are entitled to a rest, prayer, and meal break so that you do not work more than five consecutive hours without a pause.

Overtime Pay

Any hours worked beyond your standard hours are overtime and must be paid. The law requires the employer to pay an additional amount equal to the hourly wage plus 50% of the wage for each overtime hour.

• Work performed on a rest day or official holiday is also treated as overtime and paid at the same premium.
• Overtime should be genuinely additional work, not a way to disguise normal hours. The exact wage base used for the calculation can depend on your contract and allowances, so confirm how it applies to you with the official source.

Weekly Rest

Every worker is entitled to a weekly rest day of at least 24 consecutive hours, at full pay. Friday is the default rest day, but after notifying the competent labor office the employer may substitute another day for some workers.

Paid Annual Leave

You are entitled to fully paid annual leave that grows with your length of service:

• 21 days of paid leave per year during your first years of service.
• 30 days of paid leave per year once you have completed five years with the employer.

Your wage for the leave is paid in advance, and you are entitled to cash payment for any annual leave you have earned but not taken when you leave the job.

End-of-Service Benefits

When your employment ends, you are usually owed an end-of-service award (gratuity) based on your last wage:

• Half a month's wage for each of the first five years of service.
• One full month's wage for each year of service after the first five.
• Partial years are counted on a pro-rata basis.

If you resign, the amount you receive may be reduced depending on your total years of service, while termination by the employer (other than for a lawful disciplinary reason) generally preserves the full award.

This article is general guidance only and is not legal advice. Rules and figures can change and many situations have exceptions, so confirm the specifics of your case with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), GOSI, or a qualified specialist.

Want to see exactly what you are owed? Try the free end-of-service, GOSI, and overtime calculators on Job KSA to estimate your figures in seconds, then browse the latest live vacancies to plan your next step.