Normally in Saudi Arabia, the duration of work of an employee shall not exceed more than eight hours a day if the employer uses the daily work criterion or not more than forty-eight hours a week if he uses the weekly criterion. Any hours beyond this, the employer shall pay the worker overtime working hours an additional amount equal to the hourly wage plus 50 % of his basic wage as per Article 107 (1) of the Saudi Labor law. If the firm operated on the basis of weekly working hours, the hours in excess of the hours taken as the criterion shall be deemed overtime hours. All working hours performed during holidays and Eids shall be deemed overtime hours.
Working hours and rest periods during the day shall be scheduled so that no worker shall work for more than five consecutive hours without a break of no less than thirty minutes each time during the total working hours for rest, prayer and meals, provided that a worker shall not remain at the workplace for more than eleven hours a day. Friday shall be the weekly rest day for all workers. After proper notification of the competent labor office, the employer may replace this day for some of his workers by any other day of the week. The employer shall allow the workers to perform their religious obligations. The weekly rest day may not be compensated by cash.
As per Article 98, during the month of Ramadan, the actual working hours for Muslim employees shall be reduced to a maximum of six hours a day or thirty-six hours a week.
But under some circumstances, the employer may not be compelled to comply the above mentioned provisions of the Labor law. i.e., (1). Annual inventory activities, preparation of the budget, liquidation, closing of accounts and preparations for discount and seasonal sales, provided that the number of days during which the workers work shall not exceed thirty days a year. (2).If the work is intended to prevent a hazardous accident, remedy its impact or avoid an imminent loss of perishable materials. (3). If the work is intended to meet unusual work pressure. (4). Eids, other seasons, occasions and seasonal activities specified pursuant to a decision by the Minister. In all of these cases, the actual working hours shall not exceed ten hours a day or sixty hours a week.
