Rights and duties of the worker and the employer
Labor issues are among the most important legal issues that are witnessing a continuous growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, due to the economic and social transformations the country is undergoing. The Saudi labor market is witnessing rapid development due to numerous major projects, which have led to an increase in the number of expatriate workers, in addition to changes in labor laws that seek to enhance workers' rights and ensure fairness in the workplace. In this blog, we shed light on labor issues and the most important rights and duties regulated by the Saudi labor system, as well as the role of lawyers in providing legal advice and defending the rights of disputing parties.
1. Definition of labor issues
Labor cases are those that arise between an employee and an employer as a result of any dispute related to the employment contract, whether the dispute concerns financial rights or employment conditions. Labor cases range from wages, working hours, compensation, employee termination, and other issues that fall under Saudi labor law.
2. Worker rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
According to the Saudi labor system, there are many rights enjoyed by workers in the Kingdom, the most important of which are:
- Right to wages : The worker is entitled to receive the wages agreed upon in the contract without delay. He is also entitled to additional wages if he works overtime.
- Vacation rights : The worker is entitled to paid annual leave, in addition to sick leave and holiday leave.
- The right to a safe working environment : The employer must provide a safe and healthy working environment, and the worker is entitled to compensation if he or she suffers any work-related injury or illness.
- The right to grievance : The worker has the right to file a complaint or grievance in the event that he is subjected to any injustice or violation of his rights through the labor committee or the competent court.
- Right to terminate the contract : The worker has the right to terminate the contract in the event of serious violations by the employer, provided that the necessary legal procedures are adhered to.
3. Worker duties
On the other hand, there are many duties that fall on the worker, including:
- Commitment to working hours : The worker must adhere to the working hours specified in the contract.
- Compliance with employer instructions : The employee must carry out the tasks assigned to him and comply with the employer’s instructions within the limits of the law.
- Confidentiality and Non-Competition : The employee must maintain confidentiality of business information and not compete with the employer after the end of his contract, if the contract includes this condition.
4. Employer rights