Saudi labor law caps actual working time at 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, gives every worker a paid weekly rest day (Friday by default), and requires overtime to be paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage.
Hours and rest
- Article 98: no more than 8 actual working hours a day under a daily standard, or 48 hours a week under a weekly standard.
- During Ramadan, hours for Muslim workers drop to no more than 6 a day or 36 a week.
- Article 104: Friday is the weekly rest day. An employer can set a different day for some workers after notifying the labour office, and must let them perform their religious duties.
- The weekly rest day is fully paid, lasts at least 24 consecutive hours, and can't be swapped for cash.
- Article 108 excludes some roles from the hours limit, such as senior managers with employer-level authority and certain guard, cleaning and intermittent work.
Overtime
- Article 107, as amended in 2025: overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% of the basic wage.
- With the worker's agreement, the employer can give paid compensatory days off instead of overtime pay.
- Under a weekly standard, hours beyond the weekly hours count as overtime, and all hours worked on holidays and Eid days count as overtime.
Annual leave
- Article 109: at least 21 days of paid leave a year, rising to at least 30 days after five continuous years with the same employer, with leave pay paid in advance.
- Leave should be taken in the year it's due and can't be waived or exchanged for cash during employment. The employer sets the dates and must give at least 30 days' notice.
- Article 110: the employer can postpone leave for up to 90 days after the year it was due; longer needs your written agreement and can't go beyond the end of the following year.
If your hours don't match the law
- Compare your contract, timesheets and payslips with the articles above.
- Raise it with HR in writing and keep a copy.
- If it isn't resolved, contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Official sources
On Saudi Expats: the overtime calculator and our guide to the Saudi work week.
Checked September 2026. Quoted from the Labor Law text on the Bureau of Experts site, including amendments in force since February 2025.
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