His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, issued a ministerial decision amending the schedule of violations and penalties of the Labor Law and its implementing regulations, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop the labor market and promote its stability and growth.
The decree aims to support the stability of the labor market, protect workers" rights, and increase the attractiveness and flexibility of the work environment, thereby contributing to the efficiency and sustainability of businesses. The Ministry clarified that the new amendments are in line with the amendments to Labor Law issued by Royal Decree on 8/2/1446 AH, and the subsequent amendment to the Executive Regulations of the Labor Law pursuant to the Ministerial Decision dated 19/8/1446 AH.
New Amendments
The amendments included the reclassification of a number of violations into specific categories based on the nature of the activities, thereby providing greater clarity for establishments and workers in applying and complying with the regulations. These categories are as follows:
the category of general violations applicable to all activities; the category of violations specific to the operation of mines and quarries; the category of violations related to the provisions of the Regulations Governing Maritime Employment Contracts; the category of violations related to operations and maintenance activities; a category of violations related to the provisions of the rules governing the practice of recruitment and the provision of labor services (”Human Resources and Recruitment Companies“); a category of violations related to the provisions of the rules governing the practice of recruitment and the provision of labor services (”Recruitment Agencies”); a category of violations related to the provisions of the Domestic Workers Regulation; a category of violations related to regulations governing advertisements for support staff services; a category of violations related to the unlicensed practice of employing Saudis, recruiting workers, or subcontracting; and a category of violations related to the provisions of the Regulations on Agricultural Workers, Private Herders, and Those of Similar Status.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development invited those wishing to review the details of the amendments to visit its website, noting that the schedule of violations and penalties will take effect as of the date of issuance of the ministerial decision.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development sought the opinions of the public and relevant stakeholders regarding the amendment to the schedule of violations and penalties through a survey platform, as part of its ongoing efforts to review labor market regulations, support the stability and growth of businesses, protect workers’ rights, and enhance the attractiveness and flexibility of the labor market.
