What Is the Minimum Legal Age for Employment in Saudi Arabia?

The Labor Law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stipulates that the minimum legal age for employment is fifteen years old, allowing the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to grant exceptions in certain cases.

Saudi laws recognize the right of citizens to work and have established strict rules governing all aspects of employment, including the minimum working age, the relationship between the employee and the employer or establishment, and working conditions, rights, and obligations. These regulations are outlined in the Labor Law enacted in 2005.

Article 162 of the law sets the minimum legal working age at fifteen years, as it stipulates that: No person under the age of fifteen may be employed or allowed to enter places of work. The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development may, pursuant to a decision by him, raise this age limit in certain industries or areas or for certain categories of minors. The Minister may allow the employment or work of persons between thirteen and fifteen years of age in light works, subject to the following conditions: Such jobs shall not be potentially harmful to their health or growth. Such jobs shall not hinder their school attendance, participation in orientation or vocational training programs, or impair their ability to benefit from their schooling.

The law includes adequate safeguards regarding minors' labor. It stipulates that minors may not work during a period of night the duration of which is not less than twelve consecutive hours, except in cases determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister. Minors may not be made to perform actual work for more than six hours a day for all months except for the month of Ramadan when the actual working hours shall not exceed four hours. Working hours shall be organized so that a minor may not work for more than four consecutive hours without one or more periods, each not less than half an hour, for rest, food, and prayers, provided that the minor does not remain at the workplace for more than seven hours. Minors may not be made to work during the weekly rest days, Eids, official holidays, or annual vacations.

The law designates the administrative authority assuming jurisdiction over the labor affairs within an area specified by a decision of the minister as the Labor Office. Furthermore, the law defines a minor as any person of fifteen and below eighteen years of age.