Saudi Arabia Labour Law
Type
Legislative Insight
Legal reference
Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M51/1426; Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 219/1426; Saudi Arabia Ministerial Decision No. 70273/1440; Saudi Arabia Ministerial Decision No. 38173/1442
Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M51/1426 Approving the Labour Law (Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 219/1426 on the Approval of the Labour Law) (Labour Law) was issued on 1426/08/23 H corresponding to 27/09/2005 G and published in the Official Gazette on 1426/09/25 H corresponding to 28/10/2005 G. Saudi Arabia Royal Decree No. M51/1426 (Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. 219/1426) has been amended since, with the most significant amendments being introduced in 2005.
Background
Laws of the KSA are based on Islamic law (Sharia law), which is considered by Muslims to be divine. The two main sources of Islamic law are the Holy Qur'an (a divine revelation to the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Sunnah (the writings detailing the sayings and actions of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). In addition, Sharia law is the basis of the KSA's constitution, Saudi Arabia Royal Order No. A90/1412 on the Promulgation of the Basic Law of Governance. Within the Kingdom, the Hanbali school of law is applied.