Maximum number of Overtime Hours an Employee allowed to Work in a Year in Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia specified the maximum number of overtime hours that an employee can work within during the year, as well as the mechanism and method for calculating these additional hours.
Human Resources through the Labor Culture Portal on the Ministry's website stated that, according to Paragraph 31 of the first penalties schedule, the employer will be penalized with a fine of 10,000 riyals, multiplied by the number of workers, when the number of working hours increases more than what is stipulated in Article 98 without assigning additional work.
- The Ministry specified that the maximum overtime hours during the year are 720 hours, and it may be increased with the approval of the worker. Recommend : Saudi Arabia launches Professional Verification examination for skilled workers
- The ministry added that the salary of the worker or employee for the additional work hour is calculated with a wage equal to the overtime wage including allowances plus 50 of the basic wage, in accordance with Article 107 of the Saudi Labor Law.
- Human Resources explained that with regard to the actual working hours, the periods designated for rest, prayer and food are not included in their calculations and are organized during the day, so that the worker does not work more than 5 consecutive hours without a rest period of not less than half an hour at a time during the total work hours.
- A worker should not stay in the workplace for more than twelve hours per day, added the Ministry of HR.
- The Ministry clarified one exception, whereby the Minister may, by decision of him, specify the cases and jobs in which the worker must continue without a rest period for technical reasons or due to employment conditions. See Also : Saudization of jobs in Communication and IT sector
- The Ministry of HR added that even in light of work, according to this exception, the employer is obligated in these cases and works to give a period of prayer, food and rest in a manner organized by the facility management during work, in accordance with Article 102 of the Saudi Labor Law.
