Saudi Arabia has implemented significant changes to its labour laws, aimed at protecting employees’ rights and improving workplace conditions. The new regulations offer more flexibility for workers, particularly benefiting women and migrant employees, including Indians.
These reforms, introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources, are part of ongoing labour reforms that began in 2020.
Migrant workers will benefit from greater job mobility. The reforms allow them to change jobs freely and leave the country without needing their employer’s permission. Given the large Indian workforce in Saudi Arabia, these changes will directly benefit Indian employees, offering them more flexibility and job security.
Another key change is an increase in maternity leave. Women will now receive 12 weeks of maternity leave, up from 10 weeks. This policy, which came into effect this month, is designed to help women balance their professional and family responsibilities.
The reforms also introduce paid leave for marriage and bereavement. Employees will now get five days of paid leave upon marriage or the death of a spouse. Resignation policies have also been updated. Employees must provide a 30-day notice period before resigning, while companies must give 60 days’ notice before terminating an employee.
Overtime rules have been revised to ensure fair compensation. Any work done during official holidays and Eid will now be considered overtime, entitling employees to extra pay. The maximum trial period for new employees has also been extended to 180 days.
Discrimination based on race, colour, gender, disability, or social status has been explicitly banned under the new laws. This measure aims to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
The government has also tightened regulations on unlicensed employment. Employers who provide jobs without proper authorisation will face penalties. This is expected to improve labour market regulation and prevent worker exploitation.
