Saudi Arabia extends maternity leave to 12 weeks

RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet approved significant amendments to the Labour Law, including extending maternity leave from ten to twelve weeks on Tuesday.

The decision was made as part of broader reforms aimed at creating a more “attractive work environment” and supporting Saudi Vision 2030.

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The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that the amendments involve revisions to 38 articles, the removal of seven, and the addition of two new articles. These changes will take effect 180 days after their publication in the official gazette.

Key updates include the extension of maternity leave to twelve weeks, the introduction of three days of paid leave for the death of a sibling, and new provisions for training contracts. Employers will now have the option to offer paid leave in lieu of overtime wages.

The amendments also establish mechanisms for determining and renewing non-Saudi worker contracts if not specified, limit trial periods to 180 days, and add definitions for “resignation” and “assignment.”

Other changes include a requirement for a final court decision to terminate a worker’s contract as part of bankruptcy proceedings and new notice periods for indefinite contracts—30 days if initiated by the worker and 60 days if initiated by the employer.

The revisions also introduce penalties for employing workers without proper licensing and mandate specific policies for training and qualifying employees, with a focus on maritime jobs.

The Saudi ministry said it conducted a “thorough review” through the “Istitlaa” survey platform, gathering input from over 1,300 stakeholders, including private sector entities, government agencies, and labour experts.

The cabinet also approved a new law for fundraising, discussed international cooperation, and reviewed humanitarian efforts by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).