Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) is implementing stricter penalties for various labor violations, including employers who retain employee passports. These measures are part of the revised schedule of violations and penalties under the Labor Law. Here's a breakdown of the key points:
Passport Retention Fine: Employers who hold onto passports or residency permits of employees or their family members will face a fine of SR1,000.
Hiring Without Work Permits: Businesses hiring foreign workers without proper work permits or without notifying the Ajeer Program will be fined SR5,000.
Work Safety Violations: Employers neglecting occupational protection, safety, and health standards can incur fines ranging from SR1,500 to SR5,000. The business owner or representative will be accountable for accidents on the premises.
Childcare Facilities Requirement: Businesses with over 50 workers must provide childcare or nursery spaces. A failure to comply results in a SR5,000 fine, if at least 10 children under six years old are present.
Child Labor & Maternity Provisions: Hiring children under 15 and employing women within six weeks post-childbirth carries penalties ranging from SR1,000 to SR2,000.
Non-compliance with Work Permit: Employers recruiting non-Saudi workers without the necessary work permits or without notifying the Ajeer Program face a SR10,000 fine.
Workplace Discrimination: Any discrimination against employees or job applicants, including wage disparities or work conditions, results in a SR3,000 fine.
Withholding Personal Documents: Employers holding passports or residency permits of employees or their family members will be fined SR1,000.
Delayed Wages: Non-payment of wages in the official currency through approved bank accounts results in a SR300 fine.
Workplace Abuse: Failing to form an abuse investigative committee or address behavioral violations within set timeframes incurs a SR5,000 fine.
Violators must settle fines within 60 days from receiving the notification to avoid the suspension of ministry services. These measures aim to enforce labor regulations and protect employee rights as per the Labor Law's executive regulations.
