Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has clarified on Thursday that the Kingdom’s Labor Law does not allow granting employees to go on unpaid leave without their consent.

“In light of the current corona-related circumstances which do not allow carrying out duties in regular ways, the firms could follow alternative methods to enable their employees to complete their tasks, including remote work. The ministry had published the necessary guidelines in this regard on its website,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

The ministry’s clarifications came in response to inquiries the ministry had received on whether some private firms granting their employees unpaid leave without their consent is compatible to the Labor Law regulations.

The ministry affirmed that the labor contracts are binding on both parties —employee and employer, adding that the temporary extraordinary circumstances have nothing to do with it. The Ministry urges all private firms to cooperate and abide by the statutory provisions.

“Any complaints about violations of labor rules can be intimated to the ministry through its App “Ma3an lil Rasd” on smart phones or calling on the number 19911,” the statement added.