Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter labor regulations for foreign workers, signaling a major policy shift aimed at improving workplace discipline and enforcing legal compliance across the Kingdom.
According to the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment in Islamabad, the updated rules will apply to all expatriates seeking employment under the revised Saudi labor law framework.
Under the new policy, foreign workers must be at least 21 years old and are required to strictly follow the terms of their employment contracts. Authorities have also imposed tighter rules regarding leave and absenteeism, increasing accountability in the workplace.
Workers who fail to return on time after annual leave will be marked absent. Those who remain absent for 30 consecutive days without notice, or accumulate 60 days of intermittent absence, may face termination of their contracts.
Officials said the move is designed to enforce discipline and ensure compliance with labor laws. Pakistani workers planning to travel to the Kingdom have been advised to complete all required documentation and fully understand the updated regulations to avoid penalties.
The development comes amid a broader enforcement drive, with Saudi authorities issuing over 15,000 decisions in a single month against violations related to residency, labor, and border laws. Penalties for non-compliance include fines, imprisonment, and deportation, highlighting the Kingdom’s stricter stance.
