Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95) - Saudi Arabia (Ratification: 2020)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Article 7 of the Convention. Work stores. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that in its report, the Government indicates that the country’s legislation does not contain any provisions obliging the worker to use the employers’ work stores. The Committee recalls that this provision is not self-executing and requires specific measures by the competent authorities for its implementation (General Survey of 2003 on Protection of Wages, paragraph 202, footnote 110). The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which it is ensured that workers are free from any coercion to make use of work stores or services, and that when they use them, the goods or services are provided at fair and reasonable prices for the benefit of the workers concerned.

Articles 8(2) and 14(b). Information on deductions from wages. Information on the particulars of their wages. In reply to its previous comment, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government according to which: (i) section 92 of the Labour Law stipulates that all deductions from a worker's wages must be approved in writing by the worker, and this procedure ensures that the worker is informed of the deductions made; (ii) in the framework of the Wage Protection Programme, private sector employers are required to register in a database details of wages paid, including the amount of total deductions; and (iii) workers shall be provided with the details and particulars of their wages through this database. The Committee notes this information, which responds to its previous request.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

The Committee notes that, in November 2024, the Governing Body declared receivable a representation submitted by the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) under article 24 of the ILO Constitution, alleging non-observance by Saudia Arabia of Convention No. 95, as well as of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P29), the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), and decided to appoint a tripartite committee to examine it (GB.352/INS/20/8 paragraph 6). The Committee notes that the allegations contained in the representation refer to Article 12 of Convention No. 95. In accordance with its usual practice, the Committee has decided to suspend its examination of these issues pending the decision of the Governing Body in respect of the representation.

Article 15(c). Enforcement and penalties. The Committee notes the entry into force of the Ministerial Decision No. 75913 of 3 December 2023, which increases the number of categories of establishments eligible for paying lower penalties and significantly reduces the amount of fines applicable in the event of violation of the provisions on wage protection with respect to Ministerial Decision No. 92768 of 3 December 2021. The Committee emphasizes the importance of ensuring effective supervision, notably through the reinforcement of the activities of the labour inspectorate, and the strict application of appropriate penalties in order to prevent and punish wage protection provisions’ violations (2003 Survey on protection of wages, paragraph 463). The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that all penalties established in the national legislation for protection of wages’ violations (whether they are of an administrative, civil or penal nature) are sufficiently dissuasive to deter violations and are defined in proportion to the nature and gravity of the offence. The Committee also requests the Government to communicate information on the number and nature of penalties (administrative, civil, and penal) assessed and collected. It also refers to its comments made under Convention No. 81.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 7 of the Convention. Works stores. The Government indicates that, in accordance with section 146 of the Labour Law, employers shall provide, at their own expense, stores for the sale of food, clothes, and any other necessary goods at a reasonable price to workers who perform work in workplaces which are far from undertakings, i.e., workplaces in which stores are usually not present, thereby giving effect to Article 7(2). In this respect, the Committee observes that there is no provision in the Labour Law prohibiting the compulsory use of work stores. The Committee requests the Government to indicate how it is ensuredthat workers are free from any coercion to make use of works stores or services in accordance with Article 7(1) of the Convention.

Articles 8(2) and 14 b). Information on deductions from wages. Information on the particulars of their wages. The Committee notes that the Labour Law does not contain provisions regarding the manner in which workers are informed of: (i) the conditions under which, and the limits within which, deductions may be made from their wages and (ii) the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned, in so far as such particulars may be subject to change. The Committee requests the Government to indicate how it ensures that workers are informed: (i) in the manner deemed most appropriate by the competent authority, of the conditions under which and the extent to which deductions of wages may be made, in accordance with Article 8(2); and (ii) at the time of each payment of wages, of the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned, in so far as such particulars may be subject to change, in accordance with Article 14(b).