12 hours maximum work period for private sector

RIYADH: The Ministry of Labor announced that amendments that have been recently adopted will enter force starting Oct. 8.
The amendments emphasize the prohibition of keeping the worker more than 12 working hours in the workplace, and on giving him a break of 30 minutes every five hours to pray, eat and rest.
The amendments also oblige each employer who employs more than 50 workers to give training courses to at least 12 percent of the workforce, and this training ratio will be included in the Saudization ratio for Saudi workers who complete their studies abroad.
The ministry said that any worker who works on a daily basis should collect his wages once a week; those who work as freelancers for at least two weeks should get part of their wages at the beginning of the work week and the remaining money when the work is completed.
According to the amendments, the worker has the right of five days leave in the case of the death of his wife or one of his ascendants, descendants or upon marriage with full pay, and three days in case of the death of a baby.
The employer in these cases may request documentation of such events.
Workers, according to the amendments, cannot be moved from the workplace without prior written consent from the worker himself if such move requires a change of residence.
The ministry has the powers, if the employer contravenes the Saudization criteria, to refrain from renewing his license.