Labour Disputes in Saudi Arabia

Labour disputes arise when conflicts occur between employees and employers regarding contracts, salary, termination, EOSB, working conditions, or legal rights. Saudi Labour Law provides structured systems to resolve such disputes fairly.

This guide covers:

Types of labour disputes
Complaint filing process
HRSD procedures
Najiz platform
Labour court system
Mediation and settlement
Legal remedies
Employee protection
Employer obligations
Expat dispute rules

1. What is a Labour Dispute?

A labour dispute is any legal conflict between an employer and an employee related to employment rights, duties, or obligations under Saudi Labour Law.

2. Types of Labour Disputes

Unpaid salary
Illegal termination
EOSB denial
Contract violations
Leave denial
Overtime disputes
Harassment and abuse
Unsafe working conditions

3. Complaint Filing Process

Employees must first file complaints through official channels before approaching courts.

HRSD complaint portal
Company grievance systems
Official reporting platforms

4. HRSD Resolution Process

Complaint registration
Case review
Mediation attempts
Settlement proposals
Case escalation

5. Najiz Platform

Najiz is Saudi Arabia’s judicial platform for electronic case management.

Case filing
Document submission
Hearing schedules
Judgment tracking

6. Labour Court System

Primary labour courts
Appeal courts
Enforcement courts

Courts provide binding legal judgments.

7. Mediation and Settlement

Voluntary settlements
HRSD mediation
Court mediation
Legal agreements

8. Legal Remedies

Compensation orders
Reinstatement orders
Penalty enforcement
Employer sanctions

9. Employee Protection

Whistleblower protection
Anti-retaliation laws
Legal immunity for complaints
Rights preservation

10. Employer Obligations

Cooperate with investigations
Provide documentation
Attend hearings
Comply with judgments

11. Expat Dispute Rules

Iqama-linked jurisdiction
Sponsorship system impact
Transfer protections
Exit visa implications
Embassy support options