Does Saudi Arabia Protect Workers' Rights?

Yes, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia protects the rights of workers, both citizens and resident expatriates capable of working, as stipulated by the Labor Law issued in 2005, which includes 245 articles. This law regulates the relationship between the worker and the employer and protects the worker from exploitation. Article Three of the Labor Law states that work is a right for every citizen without discrimination based on gender, disability, age, or any other form of discrimination.

The Labor Law defines the relationship between the worker and the employer in a way that preserves the rights and duties of both parties. Among these rights is the right to remuneration, where the worker's wage is paid at agreed-upon times, in the country's official currency, and through accredited banks. Additionally, the law ensures the right to determine working hours, rest periods, vacations, end-of-service indemnity, and the worker's right to leave work without notice while retaining all their statutory rights in certain cases approved by the law. Furthermore, the deducted amounts should not exceed 50 percent of the worker's wage, except in specific cases decided by the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority.

The Wages Protection Program, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, is also considered one of the forms of protecting workers in the Kingdom. The program works on documenting the disbursement of wages to male and female workers in private sector establishments, both citizens and residents alike, aiming to regulate wage payments in terms of timing and the agreed-upon amount.