Ministry of Human Resources considers 2-day weekend for all Private sector Workers

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said it is looking into the possibility of modifying a section of the Saudi Labor Law relating to working hours in order to increase the Weekly Off for all private sector workers to two days.

According to Saad Al-Hammad, the Ministry’s spokesperson, the Ministry wishes to take all measures that benefit workers and the Saudi labor market in a way that helps the government achieve its goals and the labor market strategy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

While responding to the demand of private sector employees to review official working hours and implement the weekly off for two days to all parts of the private sector workforce, Al-Hammad noted. Netflix and Zoom will soon be available on Saudi Airlines flights.

He explained that the ministry of human resources had previously worked on suggested revisions to the Saudi Labor Law and had submitted them for public comment via an online polling platform. Saudi Aramco has announced new Petrol prices for May 2022 in the Kingdom.

In order to entice Saudi citizens to the employment market, the Ministry of Human Resources must take solid action on implementing the 2-day weekend for private sector workers and lowering working hours. In response, Al-Hammad stated that any advancements relating to the ministry will be announced on the ministry’s official website and social media pages.

According to Saudi Labor Law, it is illegal for a worker to work for more than 8 hours per day if the employer uses the daily criterion, or more than 48 hours per week if the employer uses the weekly criterion. During Ramadan, actual working hours are limited to 6 hours per day or 36 hours per week.

Working hours stated in Article 98 of the Saudi Labor Law may be expanded to 9 hours per day for certain kinds of workers, or in some industries and jobs where the worker does not work continuously, according to Article 99 of the Saudi Labor Law. For some workers, particularly in some industries and activities that are unsafe or detrimental, it can be cut to as little as 7 hours each day. The classifications of workers, industries, and jobs mentioned are determined by a ministry of Human Resources decision. List of Iqama professions reserved for Saudis

Article 100 of Saudi Labor Law allows employers to increase working hours to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week with the approval of the ministry in companies where the nature of the work requires rotating shifts, as long as the average working hours do not exceed 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week.

Working hours and rest periods are regulated during the day, so that the worker does not work for more than 5 continuous hours without a period of rest, prayer, and food of not less than half an hour at a time during the total working hours, and so that the worker does not remain at the workplace for more than 12 hours per day, according to Article 101 of Saudi Labor Law.

According to Saudi Gazette, Saudi Labor Law allows employers to give employees weekly off for events such as annual inventory work, budget preparation, company liquidation, closing accounts, preparing for seasons, holidays, and other occasions, and seasonal work, as long as the number of days required to work for such events does not exceed 30 per year.

The real working hours must not exceed 10 hours per day or 60 hours per week in any event. The minister must decide on the maximum amount of additional working hours per year that can be granted.