Working hours as per Saudi Labor Law

Many a times, it happens that an employer is tasking the employee more hours than allowed by the Saudi Arabian Labor law.

This usually happens because lack of awareness of the provisions in the labor law by employee.

Keeping this in mind, we list below the relevant portion of labor law for your benefit:

Article (98):
A worker may not actually work for more than eight hours a day if the employer uses the daily work criterion, or more than forty-eight hours a week if he uses the weekly criterion. During the month of Ramadan, the actual working hours for Muslims shall be reduced to a maximum of six hours a day or thirty-six hours a week.
Article (99):
The number of working hours provided for in Article (98) of this Law may be raised to nine hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain industries and jobs where the worker does not work continuously. It may likewise be reduced to seven hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain hazardous or harmful industries or jobs. Categories of workers, industries and jobs referred to shall be determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister.

Article (100):
In firms where work is done in shifts, an employer may, with the Ministry’s approval, increase the number of working hours to more than eight hours a day or forty eight hours a week, provided that the average working hours in three weeks time shall not be more or less than eight hours a day or forty eight hours a week.

Article (108):
The provisions of Articles (98) and (101) of this Law shall not apply to the following cases:
(1) Persons occupying high positions of authority in management and policy, if such positions grant the persons occupying them authority over workers.
(2) Preparatory or supplemental works which must be completed before or after commencement of work.
(3) Work that is intermittent by necessity.
(4) Guards and janitors, excluding civil security guards.
The Regulations shall specify the jobs listed under paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this Article and their maximum working hours.

Article (106):
An employer may not comply with the provisions of Articles (98), (101) and Paragraph (1) of Article (104) of this Law, in the following cases:

(1) Annual inventory activities, preparation of the budget, liquidation, closing of accounts and preparations for discount and seasonal sales, provided that the number of days during which the workers work shall not exceed thirty days a year.
(2) If the work is intended to prevent a hazardous accident, remedy its impact or avoid an imminent loss of perishable materials.
(3) If the work is intended to meet unusual work pressure.
(4) Eids, other seasons, occasions and seasonal activities specified pursuant to a decision by the Minister.
In all of the above cases, the actual working hours shall not exceed ten hours a day or sixty hours a week. The maximum overtime hours allowed per year shall be determined by a decision of the Minister.

So, what does the Saudi Labor Law say on overtime ? Click here to continue…