Labor Courts Started in Saudi Arabia – Oct 2018

Saudi Arabian Ministry of Justice have launched Labor Courts starting Oct 2018. Judges and staff are getting have been trained since last year and proper induction and court buildings are in place and connected digitally.

Ministry has setup a team to complete all the arrangements to transfer Jurisdiction of Labor cases to the general Judiciary.

This initiative is also a step towards Saudi Vision 2030 and organising Saudi Labor market from disputes.

Saudi is a home for 12 Million+ Expatriates and Labor courts will play a major role in settling disputes and creating ease and efficiency in conducting projects and ensuring those workers are working within a well defined system that protects them.

Article 34 of the law of procedures for the Shariah Courts states that grievances such as disputes relating to employment contracts, wages, rights, injuries, compensation and social insurance claims, among others, will be dealt with by the labor courts.

These courts aim to enhance investment opportunities in the Kingdom through the establishment of justice in the business sector.

Ministry also defined that six minor types of cases that cannot be contested after a judgement has been issued by a first instance court. Example cases such as a financial claim less than SR 20,000 claim of experience certificate, or worker’s documents kept by previous employer, and complaints against the decisions of the commissions on domestic employment.